By Doris Oliver
The Speaker Rt Hon Chike Olemgbe has thanked his colleagues for their quick, passionate, and meaningful contributions as he read the resolutions of the House,Urging the Government of Imo State under the leadership Senator Hope Uzodinma to direct relevant agencies to ensure a smooth re-accreditation process for the College of Nursing Orlu, while directing the Clerk and Head Legislative Services Chinelo Emeghara Esq to convey the Resolution of the House to the Governor
This is sequel to the motion chiefly sponsored by member representing Ezinihitte State Constituency Hon Dr Henry Agbasonu.
Hon. Agbasonu while presenting the motion gave a background responsibility of the Nursing College as ” as one of the institutions in the State charged with the responsibility of training nursing manpower and other support medical skill for the State” . He maintained that
in recent times, the college has been inundated with the inability to deliver on its core mandates of training due to infrastructural needs and re-accreditation by the relevant agencies.
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 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 evidently passionate member canvassed for an urgent assistance to enable the College go through the process smoothly, stating that the success of the accreditation would bring the value chain of more manpower training,revenue for the state, engagement of more youth in meaningful ventures and career paths and making the state the hurb for such trainings
The evidently passionate member canvassed for an urgent assistance to enable the College go through the process smoothly stating that the success of the accreditation would bring the value chain of more manpower training,revenue for the state, engagement of more youth in meaningful ventures and career paths and making the state the hurb of such trainings.
In Support of the Motion, Hon Okechukwu Udeze, Member Representing Ideato North State Constituency, said “when the House Committee On Education carried out Oversight function on the institution, they discovered that the college lacked sufficient facilities, he said, “We want the College to do better. Once the students start doing better, more students will 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. “
Hon Barrister Chisom Ojukwu opinionated that nurse and nursing are important in our state and the world at large as the governor is passionate about education, but queried that the quota system in Imo is low. He said, “An increase in quota means that our children will not be at home and would have career satisfaction . “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 an 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. “
Hon Barrister Dominic Ezerioha , Member Representing Oru-west State Constituency, who supported the motion although with a twist, 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.
Hon. Chigozie Nwaneri stated “The School needs laptops for its ICT Center to meet the requirements for a standard Nursing College”. He maintained that It would be in the interest of the State to have the school re-accredited as he urged that neccessary moves be made in the areas forementioned to enable the school scale through the re-accreditation exercise.
At the end of a robust discussion, the Rt. Hon. Speaker ruled :
“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”.
Recall that the motion is to urge the Government of Imo State under the leadership of Senator Hope Uzodinma to direct relevant ministries and agencies to ensure a smooth process in the forthcoming accreditation exercise of the institution on the 13th of December,2023.
In another development, the house has passed two bills, having considered the reports of the Adhoc Committee of the Bills, titled 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”.
