ISELE-UKUU/Nigeria: Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Francis Oborevwori, has commended the Minority Leader of the 9th House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Ndudi Elumelu, for his pivotal role in the establishment and sustained growth of the College of Nursing Sciences, Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Asaba, describing his contributions as a testament to selfless service and commitment to human development.
The Governor gave the commendation on Tuesday, March 18, 2026, during the second matriculation ceremony of the College held at the newly constructed 1,000-capacity auditorium donated to the institution by Elumelu at Onicha-Uku in Aniocha North Local Government Area.
Represented by his Deputy Chief of Staff, Chief Chris Osekwe, Oborevwori said the institution remains strategic to healthcare advancement and human capital development in Delta State, assuring that his administration would address existing challenges confronting the College to ensure sustainable growth.
He congratulated the matriculating students, describing the nursing profession as noble and demanding, and urged them to remain disciplined, focused and committed to excellence in their academic pursuit.
In his remarks, Elumelu expressed appreciation to the management, staff and stakeholders of the College for their dedication to building a centre of excellence in healthcare training. He congratulated the students, describing them as future lifesavers, and urged them to imbibe values of humility, empathy, resilience, integrity and self-confidence.
The federal lawmaker assured of his continued support for the institution, revealing that additional infrastructural projects, including hostel accommodation, had been approved by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to further enhance the learning environment. He also commended the state government for approving the reconstruction of the Issele-Uku–Onicha-Uku Road, noting that work would soon commence.
Also speaking, the Executive Chairman of Aniocha North Local Government Area, Hon. Emmanuel Bazim Chinye, praised Elumelu for his unwavering commitment to grassroots development, noting that his interventions have continued to attract critical infrastructure to the constituency.
In his address, the Acting Medical Director of FMC Asaba, Dr. Omo Ekene, charged the students to embrace discipline, lifelong learning and service to humanity, stressing that the journey ahead requires resilience and dedication.
He disclosed that the institution is aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, particularly in improving healthcare outcomes, adding that the students would soon commence clinical postings where they would contribute meaningfully to service delivery.
Dr. Ekene further revealed that the College is on track to graduate its first set of students within a year, attributing its transformation from a primary health facility to a full-fledged College of Nursing Sciences to the sustained support of Rt. Hon. Ndudi Elumelu.
He also announced plans to establish a College Health Centre in Onicha-Uku to cater for students, staff and host communities, in line with the vision of the benefactor.
Earlier in her welcome address, the Provost of the College described the matriculation as a major milestone in the academic journey of the students, disclosing that the institution currently has a student population of 349, comprising 19 post-basic neonatal nurses, 283 student nurses and 47 student midwives, even as she noted emerging infrastructural challenges due to rapid growth.
In his goodwill message, the Chairman of the Aniocha North Traditional Rulers Committee, His Royal Majesty, Agbogidi Obi Ezidibue Nkebakwu III, emphasized the importance of discipline, education and community support in strengthening healthcare delivery.
An inaugural lecture on Artificial Intelligence in Nursing was delivered by Elizabeth Oyibocha, who highlighted the growing role of technology in modern healthcare practice.
The ceremony climaxed with the administration of the matriculation oath, formally admitting the students into the academic and professional fold of the College, underscoring its rising profile as a centre of excellence in healthcare training in Delta State and beyond.
