Kogi Health Commissioner Inspects Obangede College of Nursing Sciences, Moves to Address Manpower, Equipment Gaps

By Samuel Godwin Ogirima

Acting PRO, Kogi State College of Nursing Sciences, Obangede

The Kogi State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to the continued development of the Kogi State College of Nursing Sciences, Obangede, with the Commissioner for Health, Hon. Dr. Abdulazeez Adams Adeiza, leading a high powered inspection of the institution to assess its manpower, infrastructure, equipment, information and communication technology (ICT), and clinical training needs.

The inspection is part of ongoing efforts by the administration of Governor Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo to strengthen healthcare education and human capital development in Kogi State.

The Governor had earlier demonstrated his administration’s commitment to the development of the College during a project inspection visit to Obangede.

During the visit, Governor Ododo received the management, staff and students of the College and reaffirmed his administration's commitment to consolidating the achievements recorded at the institution. He also promised to complete ongoing infrastructural projects on the campus.

One of the major commitments made by the Governor was the provision of a reliable water supply for the college. The water project was subsequently commenced and completed through the Kogi State Ministry of Water Resources and the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASA).

The administration also supported the college with alternative power solutions, including the installation of solar powered lighting within the college community.

Other interventions and improvements recorded by the institution include the strengthening of the perimeter fencing, rehabilitation of the damaged borehole, improvements to the Sick Bay and the introduction of e-learning facilities to accommodate the growing number of students.

Against this background, the recent visit by the Commissioner for Health provided an opportunity for the state government to assess the remaining challenges confronting the institution and identify areas requiring further intervention.

Commissioner Leads High Powered Inspection

Dr. Adeiza arrived at the college with senior officials and heads of major health sector agencies and institutions across the state.

He explained that the visit was not a witch hunt of the management or staff but an opportunity to directly understand the challenges facing the institution and determine practical ways government and other stakeholders could respond.

Describing the officials accompanying him as his "foot soldiers" in the health sector, the Commissioner reaffirmed the commitment of the Ododo administration to improving the quality of healthcare education and strengthening institutions responsible for training health professionals.

He described the Obangede college as Kogi State's first indigenous nursing training institution and stressed the importance of preserving its legacy while repositioning it to meet contemporary academic, professional and accreditation standards.

Members of the inspection team included the Chief Medical Director Hospital management Board Dr. Olayemi Joseph Chief Medical Director of Kogi State Specialist Hospital, Lokoja, Dr. Seyi Folagbade; Acting Chief Medical Director of Prince Abubakar Audu University Teaching Hospital, Anyigba, Dr. Nayo Anthony; Executive Secretary of the Kogi State Drugs and Medical Supply Management Agency, Pharm. Ibrahim Onize Salamat; The Executive Secretary Kogi State Health Insurance Agency, Dr. Aladare Adekunle; the Executive Director of the Kogi State Primary Health Care Development Agency,Dr. Muazu Omeiza Musa; the Director of Nursing Services; Executive Secretary of the Kogi State Agency for the Control of AIDS; and the Provost of Kogi State College of Health Sciences and Technology, Idah.

Speaking during the inspection, the Chief Medical Director of Kogi State Specialist Hospital, Lokoja, Dr. Seyi Folagbade, commended the quality of nurses produced by the College.

He noted that students from the institution had demonstrated competence during their clinical postings at the Specialist Hospital and called for an increase in the number of students posted there for practical training.

According to him, greater exposure to the Specialist Hospital would provide students with broader clinical experience and further enhance their professional competence.

The Director of Nursing Services also commended the inspection, describing it as evidence of the administration's determination to monitor health institutions and sustain professional standards.

An alumnus of the College, he noted that the institution had maintained a culture of discipline and professionalism and pledged to present the findings of the inspection to the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) in Abuja for appropriate consideration.

The Acting CMD of Prince Abubakar Audu University Teaching Hospital, Anyigba, Dr. Nayo Anthony, described the College as an important indigenous institution but identified inadequate visibility, particularly on social media, as one of the areas requiring attention.

He called for stronger digital promotion of the institution to project its programmes, achievements and opportunities beyond Kogi State.

Anthony also expressed readiness to explore clinical and industrial training partnerships between the College and the teaching hospital.

He commended Governor Ododo for sustaining government support for the institution and urged the College to explore alternative funding opportunities, including TETFund and institutional partnerships, to complement government intervention.

The Executive Secretary of the Kogi State Drugs and Medical Supply Management Agency, Pharm. Ibrahim Onize Salamat, encouraged the College to take advantage of the agency's supply chain to access quality and affordable medicines and medical consumables.

She explained that collaboration with the agency could help cushion financial constraints and ensure that essential commodities are available when required.

College Identifies Manpower, ICT and Clinical Training Needs

While acknowledging the interventions of the state government, the Deputy Provost of the College, Mrs. Gloria Badura, outlined some of the challenges that still require attention.

She particularly commended Governor Ododo for addressing the campus water challenge and supporting the provision of solar power, noting that the interventions had improved the learning and living environment, boosted staff morale and encouraged personnel to work harder towards the development of the institution.

However, she said the College still requires additional qualified personnel, including degree and PhD holders, as well as more midwives.

She also identified the need for improved ICT facilities, additional skills laboratory equipment and other infrastructure required to meet accreditation standards.

According to her, transportation remains another major challenge, as students are routinely transported to hospitals in Okene for morning, afternoon and night clinical postings.

She noted that the provision of hostels or staff accommodation at Confluence University Teaching Hospital, Okene, would significantly reduce the financial and logistical burden associated with transporting students for clinical training.

Other needs identified include additional computers for the ICT centre, completion of an abandoned building project inherited from a previous administration, accreditation equipment required by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), and further improvements to the Sick Bay and Skills Laboratory.

Stakeholders Call for Alumni Support

The Executive Secretary of the Kogi State Agency for the Control of AIDS, Dr. Monday Ajodoh, encouraged the College to strengthen its relationship with its alumni association and leverage the network to attract support for critical projects.

Similarly, the Provost of Kogi State College of Health Sciences and Technology, Idah, challenged the management to maximise available resources.

He cited his institution's experience, recalling how old and damaged computers were rehabilitated with the approval of the Commissioner, increasing the number of functional computers to 101.

The inspection team later interacted with students of the College, who expressed appreciation for the government's interventions and the Commissioner's decision to visit the institution.

The students pledged to reciprocate the confidence reposed in them by the government through discipline, academic excellence and commitment to professional training.

The inspection team also toured several facilities within the College, including the Sick Bay, management offices, Canada Hostel and the uncompleted building project.

The Provost of the College, Dr. James Anaza Duro Joseph, expressed appreciation to Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo and Commissioner Abdulazeez Adams Adeiza for their continued support and attention to the institution.

He said the interventions already recorded had renewed hope among the management, staff and students, while describing the Commissioner's inspection as a fresh opportunity to identify outstanding challenges and develop practical solutions.

Dr. Joseph assured the government that the College would continue to work towards maintaining professional standards, improving academic performance and producing competent nurses capable of contributing meaningfully to the healthcare system.

The inspection, he said, had further strengthened the institution's confidence that the administration of Governor Ododo remains committed to consolidating the progress already made at the Kogi State College of Nursing Sciences, Obangede, while addressing the challenges that remain.