The Secretary to the Government of Imo State, Chief Cosmas Iwu has been honoured with the award of Fellow College of Nursing Sciences Mbano (FCONSM) and admitted into the College Hall of Fame.
Receiving the award at the College matriculation Arena, during the 45th matriculation and capping of the new Nursing students, convocation of the graduands and dedication of St Joseph Catholic Chaplaincy, the SGI, who was represented by the Acting Permanent Secretary, Economic Affairs Bureau, Mr Joe Odoemenam expressed gratitude to God Almighty, the Catholic Bishop of Okigwe Diocese, Most Rev. Dr Solomon A . Amatu and the management of the college for the honour.
Iwu who reaffirmed the continued commitment and support by the state government to nursing profession and advancement of healthcare in the state also commended the management of the college for its dedication in nurturing future generations of nurses and assured them of working closely with the college to promote quality healthcare and improve the well being of Imo citizens.
The occasion which commenced with celebration of mass and dedication of the newly built chaple named St Joseph Chaplaincy by the Catholic Bishop of Okigwe Diocese,the Most Rev. Dr. Solomon A. Amatu, in his homily, the Prelate who commended the management of the college for their outstanding performance in academic, moral excellence, character molding and professionalism also congratulated both the graduands and matriculants.
Earlier in her address, the Provost of the College Sr. Dr. M Laurette P.N. Madu, said that the blessing of St Joseph Chaplaincy today marks an outstanding milestone, a new chapter in the history of the college and Mbano Joint Hospital Complex and noted that before the foundation of the chaplaincy was laid on June 2024, by Bishop Amatu, that students, staff and management used to worship in a make- shift structure.
The Provost thanked all the donors who contributed towards the realization and completion of the Chaplaincy, especially the Aachen Deutschland Diocese, Germany, whom she said were attracted by Rev Fr. Francis Ihemeke.
She further thanked God Almighty that the college has grown from its mono department of general nursing to the diversification in Midwifery, Public Health, Entrepreneurship and ICT training in tandem with the 21st Century reforms in education and clinical practices.
She noted that during the ceremony, the college will convocate 311 graduands and matriculate 214 new students and out of the 214 new students 141are Ordinary National Diploma students while 74 students are midwives.
According to Sr. Dr. M Laurette Madu, the awardees have impacted humanity through their philanthropic services and their contributions cannot go without recognition, hence the college decided to honour them with the insignia, Fellow College of Nursing Sciences Mbano,(FCONSM).
Other awardees include Hon. Evang. Chika Isreal Okoroike, Executive Chairman Isiala Mbano LGA, Mr Samuel Iyke Nnadozie , Mr Godson Obieze Obijaku and High Chief Francis Chinedu.
Highlights of the event was capping of the new students convocation and presentation of certificates to the graduands, lecture presentation and group photographs.
The representative of the SGI was accompanied to the event by the Senior Special Adviser to the Secretary to the Government of lmo state and a former Chairman of Ehime Mbano LGA, Hon Louis Ifeanyi Ashionye.
