11/04/2026
๐๐ข๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ข๐ ๐ก๐จ๐ฅ๐ฆ๐๐ก๐ ๐ฆ๐๐๐๐ก๐๐๐ฆ, ๐จ๐ก๐๐ฉ๐๐ฅ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ฌ ๐ข๐ ๐๐๐ก๐๐ก ๐ง๐๐๐๐๐๐ก๐ ๐๐ข๐ฆ๐ฃ๐๐ง๐๐ ๐๐ข๐๐๐ฆ ๐ฐ๐ง๐ ๐๐ก๐ก๐จ๐๐ ๐ ๐๐ง๐ฅ๐๐๐จ๐๐๐ง๐๐ข๐ก ๐๐๐ฅ๐๐ ๐ข๐ก๐ฌ.
The atmosphere was filled with joy and celebration as the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) College of Nursing Sciences held its 4th Annual Matriculation Ceremony on Thursday, April 9th, 2026, at the Oba Akenzua Complex.
The event marked a significant milestone in the lives of the matriculating students, as they formally began their journey into the noble nursing profession. The ceremony drew an impressive gathering of dignitaries, top management staff, heads of departments, principal officers of the college, parents, guardians, and invited guests, all united in support of the new entrants.
The Chief Medical Director, Prof. Mrs. Idia Nibokun Ize-Iyamu, who was represented by the Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee, Dr. Emmanuel Osaigbovo, warmly welcomed guests and extended heartfelt congratulations to the matriculants on their successful admission into the prestigious institution. She described the UBTH College of Nursing Sciences as a renowned centre of excellence, celebrated for producing highly skilled and competent nurses who continue to make meaningful impact both within Nigeria and across the globe.
She charged the students to imbibe the Hospitalโs core values and embrace the UBTH CARES Agenda, emphasizing Clinical Excellence and Universal Health Coverage, Advancement through Capacity Building, Revitalization of Infrastructure, Employee Welfare and Community Engagement, and Sustainability through Revenue and Partnerships. She further advised the students to remain diligent, disciplined, and focused in their pursuit of academic excellence. She also acknowledged and congratulated parents and guardians for their unwavering love, sacrifices, and commitment to the success of their wards.
In her welcome address, the Provost of the College, Mrs. Abieyuwa Eweka, congratulated the matriculating students on their achievement. She reminded them that they were stepping into a profession that demands discipline, empathy, integrity, and a commitment to lifelong learning and urged them to remain focused, diligent, and fully committed to their studies.
Mrs. Eweka highlighted the Collegeโs pioneering role as the first institution to commence the ND/HND programme in Nursing within the Edo/Delta region. She also shared exciting prospects for the future, revealing plans to commence a Bachelor of Nursing Sciences programme, alongside the upgrade of the Post Basic Nursing programme to Postgraduate Diploma (PGD), Masterโs (MSc), and Doctorate (PhD) levels.
She expressed deep appreciation to the UBTH management for their unwavering support and commitment to the growth and excellence of the College, noting that various interventions have continued to provide an enabling environment and the necessary resources for training the next generation of nurses and midwives. She also commended the faculty and staff for their tireless dedication, which has sustained the institutionโs high standards of excellence. Notably, she revealed that the College achieved a remarkable 100 percent success rate in the last Nursing and Midwifery Council examinations; a feat that has become its consistent hallmark over the years.
The matriculation lecture, titled โNursing: Profession of Care, Love and Compassion,โ was delivered by Former Head of Nursing Services, UBTH, Dr. (Mrs.) Eunice A. Osian. In her presentation, she emphasized nursing as a calling grounded in empathy, selflessness, and a strong commitment to humanity. She encouraged the students to make compassion central to their practice and to uphold the dignity and worth of every patient they encounter.
A total of 149 students were formally presented for matriculation by the Head of Department, Nursing Sciences, Mrs. Efosa B. Osarenkhoe. Highlight of the ceremony was the administration of the matriculation oath by C.I. Ighodaro Esq., followed by the symbolic signing of the matriculation register and the capping of selected matriculants, an enduring tradition signifying their formal induction into the nursing profession.
Top management staff present at the ceremony included the Director of Administration, Jim Uwadiae Esq.; the Deputy Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee (Training and Monitoring), Prof. Anthony Atimati; the Deputy Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee (Research and Ethics), Prof. (Mrs.) Adebola Ehizele; the Director of Nursing Services, Mrs. Bertha Ujiagbedion; the Head, Training Schools Unit, Ms. R. M. Eghobamien; the Head of SERVICOM Unit, Mr. Orobosa Ehiozomwangie and the Head, Public Relations and Information Unit, Mr. Osaretin Iyen, among others.
Also present at the ceremony were notable members of the academia, including the Provost of St. Philomena College of Nursing Sciences, Barr. Mrs. Tsado Irene, the Provost of Edo State College of Nursing Sciences, Mrs. Mabel Olubunmi Omobude and Provost, Institute of Health Sciences and Technology, UBTH, Mr. Lucky Agbonzikilo, alongside other distinguished guests.
The ceremony concluded on a high note, leaving the matriculants inspired and resolute, as they embark on a transformative journey that will shape them into compassionate, skilled, and globally competitive healthcare professionals.
