Following the directive of the federal government that schools of nursing be upgraded to colleges of nursing sciences, Akwa Ibom State hosts National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) and the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) accreditation teams.
The teams comprising NBTE staff and distinguished resource persons conducted a quality assurance (resources inspection) visit to the Akwa Ibom State College of Nursing Sciences, Ikot Ekpene and the other campuses.
This visit is a crucial component of the Board’s ongoing endeavors to ensure that technical and vocational education and training (TVET) institutions adhere to national standards.
Receiving the delegation, the Hon Commissioner for Health, Prof Augustine Vincent Umoh, posited that Governor Umo Eno has invested huge resources to see that nursing education in the state meets the current trends. He expressed confidence that the team, at the end of the inspection, would affirm that the institutions were ready for accreditation. Umoh, who expressed regrets that the nursing education, which had been supervised by the Ministry of health was being moved to the Education ministry, however acknowledged that the development was in the overall interest of the people.
The health commissioner received accolades from his Education counter part, Mrs Idongesit Etiebet. Etiebet acknowledged the undeniable contributions of Prof Umoh and by extension, the Ministry of Health in enhancing the sustained development of the nursing schools in the state. She particularly referenced the fact that under his watch, all the schools of nursing, as they were then known, had received accreditation. Etiebet held that this had eased the upgrading process. She thanked the Governor for the progressive investment in the educational sector of the state. Enumerating some of the strides of His Excellency she said that the nursing education would enjoy no less attention.
The team lead, Alhaji Samalia Tanko, in his reaction , agreed that the Government of Akwa Ibom State was committed to the nursing education as evidence abound in the schools. He disclosed that Akwa Ibom State had the highest number of nursing institutions to be upgraded all at once.
During the plenary session, the Zonal Director, Mr. Cyril Mbong, presented NBTE publications to the esteemed Provost, Mrs. Ekaette U. Akan, and the Director of Nursing Sciences from the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Health, Mrs. Patricia Etim. Mr. Mbong underscored the significance of adhering strictly to NBTE’s guidelines for curriculum implementation and highlighted the pivotal role of digital quality assurance in enhancing the oversight of educational programs.
In her response, Mrs. Ekaette U. Akan, the Provost, conveyed her gratitude to NBTE for their unwavering support and assured the delegation of the institution’s unwavering dedication to meet the stipulated standards. She expressed confidence that the collaboration with NBTE would augment the institution’s capacity to train nurses proficient in both theoretical knowledge and practical competencies.
This quality assurance inspection epitomizes the Board’s steadfast commitment to championing excellence in technical education and ensuring the delivery of top-tier skills training across the nation.
The team is expected to complete their inspection by weekend.
