Oyo State governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has said nursing education should not be undermined, as it is the incubation ground for well-grounded nurses that will function in the health sector.
He therefore gave an assurance that his administration will continue to encourage quality nursing education in the state.
The governor stated these while receiving the Accreditation Team from the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria at an event held at the Ministry of Justice, Agodi, Ibadan, on Thursday.
Governor Makinde added that nursing, as a profession, has gained global attraction and has become prominent.
The governor spoke through his deputy, Alhaji Bayo Lawal. He maintained that education is one of the main pillars of the Omituntun 2.0’s Sustainable Development Agenda.
He stated that the administration has continued to do everything possible to ensure the improvement of the sector.
“Nursing as a profession has gained global attraction and has become prominent and that nursing education should not be undermined because it is the incubation ground for making well-grounded nurses that will function in the health sector,” he said.
Makinde promised that his government will provide more infrastructure, resources and manpower to enhance the quality of nursing education in all the health-related schools in the state.
He equally stated that the state is working on putting in place a law that will enable the establishment of the College of Nursing Sciences with multiple campuses in the state.
Earlier in his address, the Chief Registrar and Chief Executive Officer, Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, Dr Farouk Abubarka, said the accreditation team was in Oyo State to inspect and see the availability of resources in the Nursing Schools in Ibadan, Kisi and Oyo campuses.
He said nurses produced in Nigeria are competent and among the best in the world. He added that the aim of the Council is to ensure standard at all levels with regards to the production of competent and qualified nurses across all the health facilities in Nigeria.
Dr Abubarka commended the efforts of the Governor Makinde-led administration in the health and education sectors, even as he called for more efforts to enhance quality services.
The event had in attendance the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Professor Salihu Adelabu; Attorney General/Commissioner for Justice, Biodun Aikomo, and Commissioner for Health, Dr Oluwaserimi Ajetumobi.
Also present were the Provost, College of Nursing Sciences, Dr Gbonjubola Owolabi and the Provost, College of Health Science and Technology, Dr Oluyemisi Oyewo, among others.
