By Elijah Ugani
The Cross River State Governor, Sen Bassey Edet Otu, has announced his readiness to establish a Medical School in Ogoja to provide the training of the manpower needed to provide medical services for the citizens.
Otu made the disclosure on Friday 17th April 2026, during the 2nd Matriculation and mass Capping ceremony of 620 students by the College of Nursing Sciences Obudu, held at the Sport Arena.
Represented by the Commissioner for Health, Dr Henry Ayuk, at the matriculation ceremony, he disclosed that “The governor is interested in establishing a medical school at Ogoja. We hope to ensure that a comprehensive design of a college system in the medical school that we desire to enable the training of the manpower needed to run an effective healthcare system. We expect cooperation from all of you”.
Speaking further, he averred that “The governor wants the best for you. A couple things that will be said here has to do with your future. You are here to learn so that you can come out best both in character and learning. The state needs you more than Britain and America.
“Out of the 100 nurses we employed in the last recruitment, 60 of them are graduates from your colleges. We want to encourage you so that when you graduate, you don’t move around the streets looking for job.
“The governor approval for doctors is still open. If you have a brother that is a medical doctor and is open to work with the state government, let him come and we will employ him. The governor is ready to employ staff in the four clinical areas. Even those who have retired and are still young and energetic and are willing to work, we will engage them on contract.
“Let me appreciate the Provost, very strong and very vibrant. She is phenomenal and a daughter of the soil. She is ready to step on any individual that is wants to sit on the progress of this institution.
“When you go across the road, you see the land that the Provost negotiated with the community and got for the school. I will like the next Provost to continue from where she will stop. Government appreciates you. We are determined to ensure that the nurses training follows the required regulations”.
Reacting to the appeal by the Paramount Ruler, on the need for a coaster bus, Ayuk noted that “We want to assure you that the efforts to distribute buses to colleges of nursing was not deliberate to undermine Obudu. The need to address that will be done. We will go beyond the small bus to a bigger one. We are sure that we will move this school forward. When we see a high number of people admitted. We are looking at a high IGR. As you showcase your strength, you are expected to showcase the management of the resources”.
Earlier, the Chairman of the occasion, High Chief Tony Undiandeye, thanked the governor, Bassey Edet Otu, for allowing Obudu to host this college. The elites and traditional rulers appreciate him for all the efforts made to ensure that this school was established.
Undiandeye noted that “The growth of this college has been phenomenal because of the support and cooperation the Provost has enjoyed from the governor. I also thank the commissioner for the interest in Obudu. Just few weeks ago, he reopened the General hospital.
“Matriculation is a beautiful day for all the celebrants. We are aware of the vices of the society. Some of them come here with pure minds and get corrupted. My advice is that they should come here and get the certification and leave and become better in the society. If you join the bad group, you will end your life and future.
“To parents, please keep your eyes on your children and guide them appropriately. I congratulate you for this feet, as you have entered the college, the goal is to graduate with distinction. There is a high demand for nurses all of the world. I want to congratulate you and charge you to work hard.
“I congratulate the Provost of the college for all the work going on here. And I call on the commissioner to pay close attention to this college. We will add our voices to ensure that students have a conducive environment for learning”.
On her part, the Provost of the college, Dr Mrs Victoria Undeshi, acknowledged and appreciated the unwavering commitment to the development of nursing education in Cross River State, especially his remarkable financial intervention during the last accreditation by the National Board for Technical Education which play pivotal role in the successful outcome recorded.
Undeshi noted that “Today marks a significant milestone not only in the lives of our students who are formally being admitted into this noble profession, but also in the continued growth and transformation of our institution”.
The Provost mentioned that the college has secured accreditation for programmes that meets national standards for excellence in nursing education which reinforces the college’s commitment to produce competent, compassionate, and globally competitive nurses.
She listed infrastructural development experienced during her leadership to include: Enhanced learning environment, better-equipped facilities, improved staff remuneration, promote continuous professional development through in service tranings to building an institution that supports both academic excellence and professional training.
Speaking further, the Provost noted that “We are deeply grateful for the invaluable support received from the Obudu community and development partners such as the Niger Delta Development Commission and the World Health Organization. Their interventions and collaborations have greatly enhanced our capacity in training, service delivery, and institutional development. Another area of significant progress is the steady increase in the students enrollment, a tastement to the growing confidence in our institution as a centre of excellence in nursing education.
“Dear matriculating students, today you take a solemn step into a profession that demands discipline, compassion, integrity, and excellence. You are not just students, you are future caregivers, leaders and change agents in the healthcare system. I urge you to remain focused, uphold the values of this noble profession, and strive for academic and moral excellence”.
The Head of Service, Mr Orok Bassey Oko Esq, congratulated the students and noted that “with this number of students, the shortage in the medical profession will be a thing of the past. Parents keep an eye on your children and guide them. I know some of them will leave this country. I enjoined you to be circumspect and take your studies seriously.
The Special Assistant to the governor on Nursing, Coco Bassey, noted that “Today we do not just celebrate uniforms and caps. We celebrate commitment. We celebrate the choice these young men and women have made to stand at the frontline of human care. The lamp you receive today is more than a symbol. It is a charge to light the darkest places of sickness with skill, compassion, and integrity.
“Let me, on behalf of the nursing family, acknowledge His Excellency’s decisive role in transforming nursing education in our state. He has sustained and prioritized budgetary allocation to the Colleges of Nursing Sciences in Obudu, Calabar, Ogoja, and Itigidi. This has ensured stable operations, staff welfare, and improved learning conditions across board.”
Under his administration, this college has witnessed tangible growth. New lecture halls, demonstration rooms, e-libraries, and hostel facilities are testaments to a government that believes infrastructure must match our ambition for world-class nurses”.
The Governor has also approved and released critical funds for the accreditation and re-accreditation of our nursing and midwifery programs with the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria. Because of this, our graduates are fully recognized, employable, and globally competitive”.
His Excellency did not just fund buildings. He gave us a system. By granting collegiate status, he elevated nursing education from a school-based model to a college-based academic structure. This strengthens governance, curriculum delivery, and career progression for staff and students.
“With the Governor’s backing, the State has deepened collaboration with the World Health Organization and other health-focused NGOs. These partnerships bring technical support, training, and equipment that directly benefit our colleges and, ultimately, our communities.
“Beyond capital projects, His Excellency ensured the regular payment of subvention to support academic programs, research, student welfare, and clinical postings. This consistent support is the lifeline that keeps the collegiate system functional and progressive.
“To our matriculating students: You are the first beneficiaries of this new era. To whom much is given, much is expected. Wear your caps with pride, but wear responsibility even more. Cross River State is investing in you because we believe you will give back through excellence and empathy at the bedside.
“To the Provost and faculty, Thank you for translating the Governor’s vision into daily discipline, lectures, and clinical mentorship. Continue to hold the standard high.
The Paramount Ruler of Obudu Local Government Area, His Royal Majesty, Utsu Felix Ukudari, noted that “We thank the governor for the good work not only in the college, but the entire Obudu. He has made this environment conducive for learning. A few years, we were yearning to have this school. Years ago, he approved this college to be among the colleges in the state. The students gathered here are not just from cross River State, you have them from other states and the Cameroon. It means that Obudu is central in the world.
“We thank the commissioner for health for all the sacrifices. To the Provost, you deserve a special award from Obudu for your sacrifices and proactivines. We pray God to guide you. In the near future, we will train even masters degrees.
“To the students, many of you gather here, a few years from now, you should be in abroad. I can see many of you America, Japan. You are the future and safety of our wives and children, do well to make us proud”.
The South South Zonal Director, National Board for Technical Education, Mr Cyril Mbong, noted that “This landmark event signifies not only the formal admission of the 2nd cohort of students but also the beginning of a promising journey towards excellence in nursing science education and healthcare service delivery. The migration of the then School of Nursing to a College is a commendable initiative that aligns with national efforts to strengthen human capacity in the health sector. The approval granted to commence HND programmes after a thorough resource inspection and approval visitation last year is a testament to the college’s commitment to quality education and institutional development.
“To the matriculating students, you carry the unique responsibility of maintaining the pace and standards for which this college is known. Your conduct, academic performance, and professional discipline will define the image and reputation of this college. I therefore urge you to remain focused, deligent, and commited to excellence at all times.
“Beyond academic knowledge, your attitude to care, empathy for patients, and adherence to professional ethics will distinguished you in the field. I commend the management and staff for their foresight, resilience, and dedication in bringing this vision to reality. Your commitment to maintain high standards in training and character development of your students is highly appreciated and worthy of emulation”.
Mbong used the opportunity to appeal to the Cross River State Government to grant this college and other colleges in the state full autonomy and privileges obtained in other colleges and tertiary institutions nationwide.
He reiterated the ban on the operation of satellite campuses, study and outreach centres, and affiliations has not been lifted by the federal government yet, and appealed to the state government to allow the state colleges of nursing sciences that have received approval to commence HND programmes just last year to mature and to graduate some batches of HND students before initiating the idea of affiliation.
Mbong listed the implications of illegal affiliation to include: Lost of already obtained National Diploma (ND) accreditation, stoppage of Higher National Diploma (HND) approval to commence, and delisting of the programmes and Institutions from JAMB portal.
Highlights of the event was the administering of matriculation oath, capping of the students and presentation of awards to deserving principal officers of the college.
