Plans are underway to establish a College of Nursing Sciences in Igbokoda to promote quality healthcare delivery and strengthen the nursing profession in Ondo State.
The state’s Health commissioner, Dr. Banji Ajaka, who disclosed this, said the institution would take off as soon as Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa approves its establishment.
He spoke at the 2025 leadership conference of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), Ondo State council in Akure, the state capital on Wednesday.
Drumming support for the Nursing profession, the commissioner appreciated the harmonious working relationship between nurses in the public service and the state government.
Particularly, Ajaka noted that his Ministry of had enjoyed a robust relationship with nurses in the state service, as they have not gone on a single strike since inception of the Aiyedatiwa administration.
He stated that government gives priority to the welfare and training of nurses in the state, noting that nurses are being trained in University of Medical Sciences, Ondo; Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa; Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko; and private institutions including Achievers University, Owo.
Besides, he said his Ministry is also training Nurses at the Ondo State School of Community Nursing and Midwifery.
Assuring nurses in the state of continuous government support, Ajaka commended the governor for his input in the health sector, stressing that he has approved major upgrade of health facilities in the state, purchase of medical equipment and ambulances among others.
He called on nurses to work together with other health professionals, adding that they give necessary support to government in order to give quality healthcare to the people of the state.
Representative of the Secretary to the Ondo State Government, Chief Akin Akinnagbe, while declaring open the conference stressed the importance of the training describing it as a good initiative that must be sustained.
He noted that nurses are important in the medical profession and assured of government prompt response to their challenges.
Representative of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr. Dolani Gbelela called on Nurses to continue to give their best, saying “the patients always look up to you.”
Representative of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Union matters, Bayo Olatunji who noted that the union has been cooperating with government in terms of industrial action assured of government responsibilities to the union.
He advised that the union addresses issues of gender in balance in the nursing profession, pointing out that work place conflict should also be addressed.
Representative of the Permanent Secretary, Office of Establishment, Mr. Omiri appealed to nurses to use the conference as a platform to mentor, learn and try positive change within the health sector.
While saluting their resilience, passion and unwavering service to humanity, he called on them to remain professional in their field.
In his welcome speech, NANNM Chairman, Felix Orobode described the gathering as a milestone in their collective journey toward building strong, visionary, and effective leadership within the nursing profession.
He expressed appreciation to Governor Aiyedatiwa, for the giant strides taken in revamping the health sector of the state.
These include the construction of Ondo State Drugs and Health Commodities Warehouse, regular payment of salaries, appointment of a nurse as full-time member of HMB, employment of nurses and doctors into the health institutions, handing over of UNIMEDTH, Akure Complex, to the Federal Government, and regular employment of nurse interns among others.
He called on government to ensure provision of more modern equipment and renovation of health facilities to meet modern standards and recruitment of more health workers, especially nurses and doctors to reduce workload and improve service delivery.
