By Sunny A. David, Awka
The Metropolitan Archbishop of the Onitsha Ecclesiastical Province, His Grace, Most Rev. Valerian Maduka Okeke, has called on graduating students of the College of Nursing Sciences, St. Charles Borromeo Specialist Hospital, Onitsha, to embrace compassion, love and excellence in their professional practice.
Archbishop Okeke gave the charge during the institution’s second convocation ceremony held at the college premises in Onitsha, Anambra State.
He described nursing as a noble vocation rather than a mere profession, noting that it requires deep commitment to humanity, selflessness and strict adherence to professional ethics, particularly when caring for people in vulnerable situations.
He cautioned the graduates to act prudently in the discharge of their duties and to avoid any conduct that could endanger their professional licences.
“You are now professional nurses grounded in Christian values. Let love and compassion define your service. Put into practice all that you have learnt here, and allow your faith to guide your work,” the Archbishop advised.
The convocation ceremony was preceded by a Holy Eucharist celebrated by Archbishop Okeke and attended by priests, religious, government officials, parents and guardians, nursing professionals, friends of the college and other distinguished guests.
In her welcome address, the Provost of the College, Mrs. Theresa Aniedu Obi-Odunukwu, described the event as a celebration of perseverance, dedication and academic success.
She highlighted the steady growth of the institution in infrastructure, staffing, academic quality and administration since its establishment.
According to her, students of the college have consistently recorded impressive performances in internal examinations and the Nursing and Midwifery Council qualifying exams.
Mrs. Obi-Odunukwu appealed to government agencies, alumni, religious organisations and corporate bodies to support the college through partnerships in areas such as infrastructural development, scholarships, laboratory facilities and digital learning resources.
The college graduated three sets of students—2020, 2021 and 2022. The best graduating students were announced as Ubosi Miracle Uchechukwu (2020), Okolo Ogechukwu (2021) and Amadi Lucy Uchechi (2022).
Speaking on behalf of the award recipients, Amadi Lucy Uchechi expressed gratitude for the recognition, describing the college as an institution built on discipline and academic excellence. She noted that diligence and commitment were key to achieving success.
Similarly, Ubosi Miracle Uchechukwu, represented by her mother, Mrs. Ubosi Okeke Rosemary, thanked God and commended the college for its strong academic and moral foundations.
She revealed that her daughter’s exceptional performance at a foreign university had drawn attention to the quality of education provided by the institution.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the occasion, Mr. Kalu William, praised Archbishop Okeke for his significant contributions to the growth of the college and urged the management to continue sustaining high academic standards.
Also speaking, the College Administrator, Rev. Fr. Fidelis Nwanze, described the Archbishop as a visionary leader whose culture of excellence has driven the institution’s achievements.
He thanked guests, clergy and religious, including the Coordinator of Health Services of the Onitsha Archdiocese, Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Basil Ekwunife, and the Chief Executive Officer of St. Charles Borromeo Specialist Hospital, Rev. Fr. Dr. Izunna Okonkwo, for their support.
Addressing journalists, Rev. Fr. Nwanze disclosed that the college has consistently recorded distinctions and first-class results since its inception, assuring that efforts are being intensified to maintain a 100 per cent success rate in future examinations.
The ceremony climaxed with the presentation of certificates to the graduating students.
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