School of Nursing Calabar has matriculated 100 students. The matriculation had in attendance the Commissioner for Health Dr. Betta Edu as the Special Guest of Honor; Dean, Faculty former DNS; Dr. Mrs. Christy Ekpe as the Chairman of the Occasion; Director General of the CRSPHCDA Dr. Janet Ekpenyong.
Others in attendance were the Director of Nursing Dr. Mrs. Pauline Obute, the Director of Administration Mr. John Ukwu, the NANNM Chairman Comrade Josephine Bassey, the wife of the Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly Mrs. Imabong Eteng Williams, the Principal of the School Mrs. Joy Nelson Obeten.
Cross River state in the last 12-month has recorded unprecedented heights in health sector and the nursing profession in particular.
Speaking to the Students during the matriculation ceremony, Dr. Edu applauded the efforts of various parents.
She called on the students to sacrifice the 3-year for intense studies stating the many successes that Governor Ayade’s administration has so far recorded is to ensure they get a more comfortable learning environment.
She said, “Let me start by congratulating you all for getting this far even though the journey has just begun. Your parents and even the state Government have sacrificed so much to provide the best of learning standards with a comfortable environment for studies.
“You must sacrifice these 3years to study hard so you can make everyone, including the State proud. As a means of encouragement, I’ll give out half a million naira to the best graduating Student in this set.
“The state will strive to make this another College of Nursing before 2023 ends to avail you of the opportunity of going for NYSC. CRS and the entire Society depend on you to graduate, serve the state and save lives. I welcome you all into the School on behalf of our amiable Governor Sen. Prof. Ben Ayade and his dear wife Dr. Linda Ayade.”
In her welcome address, the Principal of the School Mrs. Joy Nelson Obeten thanked the State Governor for his unending support towards the School.
She also thanked the Health Commissioner Dr. Betta Edu for her tremendous efforts and wonderful achievements that have brought about positive and lasting changes to the School which today has gained full accreditation status amongst others.
“We’re blessed to have Governor Ben Ayade and a Commissioner who has sacrificed her all to raise this School to this standard. Our highly cherished Parents I say thank you and God bless you.
Amongst those who gave their goodwill messages, the Chairman of the occasion Dr. Mrs. Christy Ekpe appreciated the hard work of the Health Commissioner who has recorded tremendous achievements and has transformed the health sector while charging the Students to focus on their studies so they can come to fill the gap of poor manpower capacity in the health sector.
The Director-General of the CRSPHCDA Dr. Janet Ekpenyong on her part commended the leadership of Dr. Betta Edu in the health sector that has so far yielded many positive results, she assured the students of the job opportunities upon graduation.
Dr. Pauline Obute, Comrade Josephine Bassey, and Deaconess Abasi Offiong Offiong in their separate goodwill messages charged the Students to put their studies/academics first before anything else.
The wife of the speaker Mrs. Imabong Eteng Williams assured the school of nursing Calabar that the CRS house of Assembly will enact laws to create the college of Nursing sciences Calabar.
