Rev. Fr. Moses Orshio Adasu University, Makurdi, on Thursday inducted its pioneer set of 57 Bachelor of Nursing Sciences graduates, marking a major milestone for healthcare training in Benue State.
The 1st Induction and Admission Ceremony, held at the College of Health Sciences of the university, brought together government officials, university management, regulators, parents, and guests to celebrate the first set trained under the programme launched in the 2018/2019 academic session.
Benue State Governor and Visitor to the University, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, represented by his deputy, Dr. Sam Ode, said the event validated his administration’s decision to strengthen professional health training in state-owned institutions and pledged more investment in the health sector.
“Today is a landmark in the history of this university and in the healthcare development of Benue State,” Alia said. “When this administration made the decision to strengthen and expand professional health training, it was with one goal in mind: to produce qualified, competent, and ethical healthcare professionals who will serve our people with dignity and excellence.”
Addressing the graduands, the governor described nursing as “more than a job; it is a calling.” He urged them to uphold professionalism, compassion, and integrity, noting that as pioneers, they carry the responsibility of setting the standard for future cohorts.
Alia reiterated his government’s commitment to investing in infrastructure, equipment, and faculty development to ensure graduates remain globally competitive. He also thanked parents and guardians for their sacrifices and called on them to continue supporting the new professionals.
In his remarks, Vice-Chancellor Prof. Timothy Terseer Alabar said the induction realized the university’s vision to train competent, ethical, and compassionate nurses to meet the growing healthcare needs of Benue, Nigeria, and beyond.
“You are pioneers in the truest sense of the word,” Alabar told the graduands. “You entered this programme without the benefit of precedent within this university. You endured the rigours of establishing a new tradition and setting the standard for those who will follow.”
“The oath you take today is more than a formality. It is a covenant between you, your profession, and the society you serve,” he added.
He commended the graduands for their performance in the Professional Council Examinations and praised the faculty for building the programme from the ground up. Alabar also acknowledged Governor Alia’s support, particularly the recent release of funds to clear outstanding staff arrears, which he said had stabilized the university.
Provost of the College of Health Sciences, Prof. Andrea Ornguze, outlined the department’s achievements, including full accreditation by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria and the National Universities Commission, 100% pass rates in the first professional examination, and the purchase of training equipment and staff development initiatives.
Ornguze said the 57 inductees had completed the rigorous academic and clinical requirements of the Bachelor of Nursing Sciences programme. She reminded them that nursing involves a sacred responsibility to preserve life, promote health, and uphold human dignity.
“We are gathered today not only to celebrate academic success but also to witness the birth of a new generation of professional nurses who are prepared to serve humanity with competence, compassion, and integrity,” she said.
She paid tribute to Mrs. Rose Kasuwa Adobe, the pioneer coordinator of the department, and thanked the university management, faculty, clinical instructors, and the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria for their support.
The Registrar/CEO of the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, Dr. Ndagi Alhassan, represented by Anunobi Patricia, who administered the oath to the inductees, congratulated them and announced that the Council would issue temporary professional licenses valid for one year.
She said the licenses would allow the graduands to proceed on a one-year internship, after which full practicing licenses as Registered Nurses would be issued, subject to supervision and adherence to the nursing code of ethics.
“These are times when the world is looking up to us to improve and strengthen the healthcare system,” Patricia said. She urged the new nurses to embrace continuous learning, accept corrections, and place patients at the center of their practice.
The Council reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining high standards in nursing education and practice in Nigeria.
The Registrar of the university, Barnabas Hemba, charged the graduands to serve with competence, humility, and integrity, and to be worthy ambassadors of Rev. Fr. Moses Orshio Adasu University.
Joy Enuwa Onah, one of the pioneer Bachelor of Nursing Sciences graduands inducted at the ceremony, expressed gratitude for completing her five-year journey. She described the induction as a moment of joy and thanksgiving to God for seeing her through the programme. Looking ahead, Enuwa said she hoped to expand her impact in public health by working with the World Health Organization and non-governmental organizations. She prayed for rapid growth in her nursing career and expressed confidence in reaching greater heights in the profession.
Her parent also shared in the celebration, describing the day as the happiest of their life. “I feel like dancing and jumping on the ground,” her mother, Esther Onah, said. She disclosed that the family was proud of her achievement and thanked God for making the milestone possible, adding that the family would continue to give Him the glory.
