Redefining possibilities through innovative education and healthcare.
5 min read
This is the Executive Provost’s Matriculation Speech: With great honor and gratitude to God for this incredible privilege, I welcome everyone to the First Matriculation/Capping Ceremony of this Great Institution, Merit College of Nursing Sciences (MCNS) Orlu. Today, we are matriculating 135 students who have vowed to uphold the core values of this institution: integrity, commitment, advocacy, respect, and excellence (I-CARE). Students going through rigorous training in the next two years to become the best registered professional nurses and midwives the world will ever know. I congratulate the students, parents and guardians for completing this first step of their academic and professional journey. I also thank the lecturers and all the academic and non-academic staff of MCNS. You have shown the remarkable resilience and commitment required to bring this institution to the envy of all other colleges of nursing.
The theme of this year’s event, Redefining possibilities through innovative education and healthcare, reflects our mission and vision. Using evidence-based knowledge, creativity, and technology, we are changing the education landscape of future nurses, midwives, and healthcare industry leaders. We provide future healthcare professionals the education and tools needed to transform the healthcare industry and the lives of people in the community they will serve and Nigeria in general through delivering high-quality, safe, compassionate, and holistic care.
Education, a powerful agent of change, is a catalyst to achieve the difference in the healthcare industry citizens of this great nation crave. As the innovative vehicle driver, Merit College of Nursing Sciences Orlu has incorporated technology, talented educators and evidence-based teaching modalities that promote students’ learning into the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) curriculum. The innovative teaching and learning technologies have provided our educators and students with a hybrid teaching model by incorporating in-person and long-distance teaching and learning. This model was evident and positively impactful during the recent temporary shutdown of tertiary institutions during the 2023 presidential election. It is important to note that while at home in their respective communities and villages, our lecturers continued their lectures with students through zoom, canvas and Microsoft teams. The students were able to access their lessons and assignments through Elsevier, clinical keys, osmosis, and Canvas. They completed their assignments and submitted their completed works on Canvas. In addition, they communicated with their fellow students and lecturers through all these avenues, including Mattermost.
Coming to a higher institution like MCNS requires successful completion of secondary school education, personal motivation, and the ability to adapt to the rigor of education in the high institution. Unfortunately, with the dismal education the students received in secondary school, some students find it challenging to meet the rigor and high academic standard set at MCNS. It is a known fact that education is the key to breaking the chain of poverty and eradicating poverty. Education improves individual health and livelihood, contributes to societal stability, and drives the long-term economic growth of a nation. It is also known that nursing is one of the few professions in Nigeria where its graduates are gainfully employed. However, the profession is not for everyone. Unfortunately, due to the economic hardship and lack of jobs for young graduates in Nigeria, some parents are pushing their children into nursing despite the student’s resistance. Nursing is not a profession for ineffectual and careless individuals. It is a profession for people with integrity, compassion, high responsibility, accountability, a sense of equity and equality, social and moral justice. and high ethical standards. The nursing profession encourages research and enforces evidence-based practice in care delivery. It is a profession that holds individuals accountable for their decisions and actions. Nurses are the backbone of the healthcare industry; hence, admitting and educating people who understand these values are paramount to us. Therefore, we plead with parents/guardians to allow their children to follow their dreams where they will flourish, shine, and succeed and not push them into a profession that will endanger their potential and the lives of the patients they come across.
Developing an institution of this magnitude and implementing a high-quality education at this level requires vision, commitment, dedication, and sacrifices of time, talent, and money. The founders of Merit College of nursing science understand these values and have also gone above and beyond to implement a high-quality Nursing education program that will position the students to compete in the global healthcare industry and academic world. They have created the vision to give our children an opportunity to receive an education, allowing them to compete in the worldwide healthcare and educational arena. They have built a state-of-the-art institution and furnished it with the latest and most remarkable technologies and libraries that enhance global learning and the acquisition of evidence-based knowledge that will guide them to provide high-quality, safe, and compassionate care to patients. In addition, they have adopted and implemented a curriculum that meets the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria’s criteria.
To continue providing innovative education to our children to redefine the impossibilities in Nigeria’s educational and healthcare system, the Proprietor has done a marvelous job mounting this citadel here for everyone, rich and poor, to enjoy. The institution boasts a modern hostel for students who want to live on campus, a computer lab, a Library that has over 2000 books, as well as access to e-books, science and clinical simulation labs, modern classrooms, staff offices, etc. There is still much work to be done to give the students rounded high institution experiences, such as sports and recreation facilities and a multi- purpose hall. Therefore, we are appealing to the government, parents, families, friends, well- wishers, and lovers of high-quality education to support us in building a multi-purpose hall and sports complex. No amount is too small or too big. Your donation is highly appreciated. Thank you in advance for your generosity.
This citadel would not be here today without the generous financial donation from Chief Nkemdirim and Dr. Lolo, Mrs. Chika Ugbaja, countless volunteer hours of time and talent from these outstanding men and women, Mazi Ken Imah, Dr. Nneka Chukwu, Dr. Veronica Ufoegbuna, Dr. Ada Ogbu, Dr. Joseph Osuji, Rev, Fr. Damian Ezeani, Mrs. Chinyere Ukenta Duru and my humble self, Mrs. Angela Ikeme. I would also like to use this opportunity to thank my husband, Chief Goddy Ikeme, for his unwavering support of me in this project.
I will close with my favorite quote by Maya Angelou, “We have the opportunity to heal the heart, mind, soul, and body of our patients, their families, and ourselves. They may forget your name, but they will never forget how you made them feel”.
Thank you and God bless you.
Executive Provost
Angela Ikeme, DNP(c), MSN, RN, NE-BC aikeme@oumfusa.org
MCNS/OUMC/OUMF
