In a patriotic move and show of love to ensure the Imo State College Of Nursing Sciences Orlu is fully Re-accredited for increased quota, the Imo State House Of Assembly has urged the Imo State Government to take immediate action to enhance and realize the objective.
Moving the Motion, the Member Representing Ezinihitte Mbaise State Constituency, Hon Dr Henry Agbasonu explained that the Imo State quota for admission of students into the Imo State College Of Nursing Sciences Orlu has been minimized due to insufficient facilities, such as well equipped ICT Centre, Library, as well as well built up classroom blocks and offices, despite the excellent performances of the college in council examinations.
Hon Dr Agbasonu while stating that Education is the fulcrum through which the society moves, bemoaned the dilapidated condition of buildings in the college and insufficient number of laptops and other audio and visual equipment. He however appreciated the Provost of the college, Mrs Hannah Offor, who despite the afformentioned limitations has been piloting the affairs of the school efficiently and effectively.
Dr Henry Agbasonu who is also the House Committee Chairman On Education further stated that the college would be receiving Inspectors (Nursing and Midwifery Council) from Abuja on the 13th of December 2023 for a Re-accreditation exercise that, if successfully done, would increase the State quota for the benefit of our children seeking admission ; further noting that the college has the capacity to accommodate more number of students yearly, but presently admits 100 students, due to those challenges.
According to Dr Agbasonu, “The College needs Laptops and other Audio And Visual Equipment And Restructuring Of Dilapidated Buildings that would encourage the Nursing And Midwifery Council to increase the State Quota in the forthcoming re-accreditation for our children’s benefit”.
The Motion which was seconded by Hon Barrister Nze Chisom Ojukwu (Oyinatumba) and Member Representing Nkwerre State Constituency, was co-sponsored by Rt Honourable Chyna Amara Iwuanyanwu (Deputy Speaker), Hon Chief Chidiebere Samuel Ogbunikpa (Okigwe), Hon Okechukwu Udeze (Ideato North) and Hon Barrister Chisom Ojukwu (Nkwerre).
Supporting the Motion, Hon Okechukwu Udeze, Member Representing Ideato North State Constituency, said insufficient facilities in the College was discovered when the House Committee On Education carried out Oversight function on the institution. According to him, “We want the College to do better.
Once the students start doing better, more students would be enrolled, for our overall benefit. We want the Quota to the College to be increased, and this can only be possible when all the necessary facilities are in place. I therefore call on my colleagues to support this Motion”.
For Hon Barrister Chisom Ojukwu, “Nursing is important in our dear State and the world at large. The Governor is passionate about Education. But the Quota system in Imo is low. Increase in Quota means that our children will not be at home. It also means that our children will be satisfied.
A situation where thousands of students will apply for admission, but only 100 will be admitted, due to limited facilities, is unacceptable. To begin with, the College needs additional 100 Laptops. We have to encourage the Executive Arm of Government to salvage the situation in the College, so that the Re-accreditation process can be achieved”.
Although supporting the Motion, Hon Barrister Dominic Ezerioha , Member Representing Oru-west State Constituency, explained that 100 laptops couldn’t be the major problem of the school. He decried the shortfall of Nurses (and Doctors) in Nigeria, due to inadequate facilities in their training colleges. He therefore called for the reversal of the trend.
For the Chief Whip and Member Representing Oru-East State Constituency, Hon Chigozie Nwaneri, he opined thus “The School needs laptops for its ICT Centre to meet the requirements for a standard Nursing College”.
He also said It would be in the interest of the State to have the school re-accredited and therefore pleaded that expedited action be taken in the areas listed to assist the school’s re-accreditation exercise.
After listening to the contributions of the Honourable Members to the laudable Motion, the Speaker, Rt Honourable Chike Olemgbe, finally put it to vote and it was overwhelmingly adopted. Thereafter, Mr Speaker Ruled as follows :
“Be It Resolved By This Honourable House To Urge His Excellency Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma, To Direct The Commissioner For Digital Economy And E-Government In The State To Release Some Laptops To The College To Enhance Their Chances During The Re-Accreditation Exercise”.
“Be It Also Resolved By This Honourable House To Urge His Excellency, Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma To Direct The Commissioner For Housing To Carry Out On The Spot Check On The Dilapidated Buildings In The College Premises To Ascertain Immediate Action To Be Taken To Ensure A Successful Re-Accreditation”.
Rt Honourable Chike Olemgbe further directed the Clerk to communicate the resolution of the House to His Excellency the Governor.
Also, the Reports of the Adhoc Committee of Two Bills (A Bill For A Law To Amend The Imo State Public Procurement Law NO. 12 of 2010, And A Bill For A Law To Amend The Imo State College Of Education Law No 11 of 2010, which were laid before the House at the last sitting (30/11/2023), were considered in the Committee of the Whole House.
For the Bill For A Law To Amend The Imo State Public Procurement Law NO. 12 of 2010, all the recommendations of the Adhoc Committee were considered and Adopted, and thereafter read the third time and passed into law.
Similarly, For the Bill For A Law To Amend The Imo State College Of Education Law NO. 11 of 2010, all the recommendations of the Adhoc Committee were considered and Adopted, and thereafter read the third time and passed into Law.
Therefore, when signed into Law by His Excellency the Governor, it shall be known and addressed as ” Benjamin Uwajumogu (State) College Of Education”.
Mr Speaker thereafter directed the Clerk to produce clean copies of the Bills, for the Governor’s assent. The House Adjourned to the 12th of December 2023.
Citizen Ikenna Samuelson Iwuoha writes from Owerri Imo State.
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