The Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Francis Oborevwori has formally commissioned the School of Nursing Science, Federal Medical Centre, Asaba, Onicha-Uku satellite campus in Aniocha North Local Government Area, Delta State.
Governor Oborevwori declared the medical institution open on Monday, May 13, 2024 in an impressive ceremony attended by notable personalities within and outside Delta State.
Immediate past Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Ndudi Elumelu, who envisioned and attracted the project was in attendance at the event as the Guest of Honour.
In his speech, Governor Oborevwori commended the establishment of the Institution and said it will go a long way in boosting the hearth care component of his administration’s More agenda.
He commended the former Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Ndudi Elumelu for attracting the project to the State and said the new School of Nursing Science would greatly enhance the economic tempo and quality of human capital development in the health sector.
The Governor assured the Federal Government of the state government’s partnership and commitment to the growth and development of the health sector in the state, even as he announced a donation of 32 seater coastal bus to the institution.
He said: “As a Government, we are proud to be associated with this College of Nursing Sciences, Onicha-Uku (Satellite Campus), of the Federal Medical Centre, Asaba, which will greatly enhance human capital development in the health sector.
“Currently, there are five state-owned colleges of nursing, but their carrying capacity cannot absorb all the qualified applicants. Hence, the establishment of this College of Nursing Sciences, Onicha-Uku (Satellite Campus), of the Federal Medical Centre, Asaba, through our illustrious son, Rt. Hon. Ndudi Elumelu, will provide adequate health care for this community and environs.
“I commend him for laying this solid foundation for the take-off of this College of Nursing Sciences.
“My appreciation goes to the Hon. Minister of Health, as well as the management and staff of Federal Medical Centre, Asaba, for this achievement.
“The presence of this school will, no doubt, boost the retail economy in Onicha-Uku and neigbhouring communities. I, therefore, urge them to reciprocate this kind gesture of the Federal Government by taking ownership of the school and to protect this critical asset that has been brought to the community. Security is paramount.”
Governor Oborevwori said his administration would continue to support Federal Government institutions in the state for the sustainable overall growth and development of the state.
“On our part, we shall lend adequate support and collaboration to the new College of Nursing Sciences. I have listened carefully to the requests of the Medical Director of Federal Medical Centre, Asaba, on various areas of need. I assure you of our willingness to assist within the limits of available resources, in due course.
“It is my prayer that this College of Nursing Sciences will fulfill its mandates by contributing immensely to the growth of nursing education in Nigeria.”
The immediate Past Minority Leader of the House of Representatives,, Rt. Hon Ndudi Elumelu, at the event, said the College of Nursing was one of the many projects he attracted to Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency, and pledged to continue to contribute to the development of the area and the State in general.
He commended the State Governor for his untiring efforts to see the project takes off and appreciated the Federal Government and the Ministry of Health for their commitment towards the realization of the institution.
“I sincerely appreciate and thank our humble, visionary, and performing Governor of Delta State, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Francis Oborevwori and his amiable wife, Mrs Tobore Oborevwori, for the untiring efforts to ensure that this important institution takes off today.
“This College of Nursing Sciences here is yet another testament of Governor Oborevwori’s insightful leadership particularly in effectively galvanizing resources, connections, experience and extensive goodwill with which he is further repositioning Delta State with unprecedented infrastructural, human capital and citizen empowerment projects in all critical sectors of life, and for which we are very grateful.
“I commend the Federal Government and indeed the management of the Federal Medical Center, Asaba for the successful take-off of this College with high teaching and learning standards which makes it one of the best of its kind in Nigeria and beyond,” Elumelu said.
He challenged students of the institution to maximize the opportunity to acquire knowledge to bridge the manpower needs in the health sector.
The Medical Director of the Federal Medical Centre, Asaba, Dr Victor Osiatuma, in his remark, thanked Hon Elumelu for attracting the college while in office and appealed to the state government and other relevant stakeholders for the sinking of a borehole to solve water needs in the school, in addition to handling the issues of electricity, transportation and security.
“It is very important to State that this project was envisioned by Rt. Hon. Ndudi Elumelu as a primary Health Care Center to Cater for the well-being of the people of his federal Constituency in Aniocha North Local Government Area and was constructed by the Nigeria Primary Health Care Department Agency as a Constituency Project of Rt.Hon Ndudi Elumelu in 2012. In 2014 Hon. Elumelu invited the Management of the Federal Medical Center, Asaba to take over the running of the health center. After several consultations with all necessary agencies of government, the Honourable Minister of Health graciously approved the takeover of the health centre by the Federal Medical Centre, Asaba in 2018,” the Medical Director stated.
Dr Victor Osiatuma further remarked that the takeoff of service at the centre presented so many problems that appeared insurmountable.
“Luckily, Hon. Ndudi Elumelu was the Minority Leader at the 9th House of Representatives and rightly used the weight of his office to facilitate funds that were very useful in the successful completion of this project,” Dr Osiatuma revealed.
He equally thanked Governor Oborevwori for his achievements in office in the last 11 months, especially in the health sector, and urged him not to relent in recording more successes.
The representative of Onicha-Uku town, Chief Ephraim Osubor, described the project as an asset in the health sector.
“The project is a big plus to our community, and a big plus to Aniocha North and Delta State in general,” He noted
Chief Osubor commended the Medical Director and the Management of the Federal Medical Centre, Asaba as well as the Provost of the Collage, Mrs Olisa Maria Ngozi for cooperating and carrying the community along in the management of the Collage, saying that they are happy to be part of the Institution.
“But all these things were possible because one of our Sons, Rt. Hon. Ndudi Elumelu decided to break the jinx by bringing development to our community. When you talk of the dividend of democracy, I don’t know whether there is any that can be greater than this.
“Thank you Rt. Hon Ndudi Elumelu. We appreciate you and we say that from your past performances, there is hardly any community in Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency that cannot attest to something that you have done for them. As far as we are concerned, you are on sabbatical until 2027.
“So, your Excellency, Rt. Hon. Ndudi Elumelu is our Son that we are well pleased,“ Chief Ephraim Osubor eloquently stated.
Distinguished Senator Ned Nwoko representing Delta North Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Olorogun Kingsley Esiso, State PDP Chairman, Chief Nkem Okwuofu, a member of the National Executive Committee of the PDP, Majority Leader of the State House of Assembly, Honourable Engr Emeka Emmanuel Nwaobi, Chief Ada Josephine Kachikwu and other top cabinet Members of the State Government were at Onicha-Uku with the Governor for the event.
