By Uche Nnorom, Makurdi
The Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) has inducted 57 pioneer graduates of the Department of Nursing Science, Rev. Fr. Moses Orshio Adasu University, Makurdi (MOAUM), into the nursing profession.
The induction ceremony, held on Thursday at the university’s College of Health Sciences, featured a charge to the new nurses to uphold integrity, professionalism, and the ethics of the nursing profession.
Speaking during the ceremony, the Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of NMCN, Dr. Alhasan Ndagi, urged the inductees to combine clinical competence with compassion, excellence, and sincerity in the discharge of their duties.
Represented by Mrs. Patricia Amonuobi, Dr. Ndagi described nursing as a service-oriented profession that requires empathy, attentiveness, and kindness, stressing that empathy remains the cornerstone of quality patient care.
He explained that the Bachelor of Nursing Science (BNSc) degree equips graduates with the skills to make accurate diagnoses, design and implement care plans, and evaluate patient outcomes holistically.
According to him, the induction marked the graduates’ transition into certified professionals, noting that their names would be entered into the NMCN register as Registered Nurses following the administration of the oath.
He further urged the new nurses to develop health promotion strategies, evaluate healthcare outcomes, and work effectively both independently and collaboratively within the healthcare system.
“The professional examinations you have taken are strategically designed to position you competitively in the global healthcare sector. You must provide quality healthcare for the sick and keep confidential all information entrusted to you by patients.
“You will proceed on a one-year internship during which you will be issued a temporary licence. Upon successful completion of the internship, based on your performance and conduct, the council will issue you a permanent licence,” he said.
In his address, Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, advised the graduands to maintain good conduct and professionalism in their careers.
Represented by his deputy, Sam Odeh, the governor noted that behind every diagnosis and treatment plan is a human being whose life can be improved through compassion and competence.
He reiterated his administration’s commitment to supporting the university and other institutions in producing the manpower required to drive the state’s development agenda, particularly in the health sector.
Earlier, the Vice Chancellor of MOAUM, Prof. Timothy Alabar, urged the graduates to be worthy ambassadors of the institution.
He stated that as pioneer graduates of the programme, they had been trained to demonstrate competence, ethical standards, and compassion in addressing the growing healthcare needs of Benue State, Nigeria, and beyond.
Delivering a guest lecture at the event, Dr. Ukemde Freeman emphasised the importance of critical thinking and soft skills in modern nursing practice, urging the graduates to embrace continuous self-improvement and patient-centred care.
He also called on healthcare institutions to prioritise communication and interpersonal skills training.
