The Provost, Lagos State College of Nursing, Mrs. Oyefunso Orenuga, has urged students in the College to define their purpose in life by lending a helping hand to humanity through the Nursing profession.
She gave the advice on Monday January 18, 2021, during the joint Capping and Strapping ceremony of students in the Departments of Nursing and Midwifery for the year 2019 and 2020 sets at the College Auditorium, Igando.
In her keynote address, the Provost stated that the joint Capping and Strapping became necessary, despite the delay caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, in order not to postpone their formal admission of the Y2019 set into the College.
Congratulating the students for the successful completion of the six-month examination and for being patient and resilient in the face of the pandemic, she informed that classes and examinations continued online during the lockdown, making it the first time in history that such will be done in the College.
Orenuga also appeal to the students to protect themselves from the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.
She stressed that it is pertinent to let the people know that the second wave of the pandemic is deadlier and more ravaging than the first.
In her words, “The virus is still very much around and active. We must ensure that we know our status and adhere strictly to the laid down protocols of maintaining physical distancing, regular handwashing with soap and running water, using hand sanitisers, wearing face masks and avoiding large gatherings, amongst others.”
The Provost reiterated that the management on its part would continue to provide a conducive atmosphere for living and learning in the College to the best of its ability and within available resources.
The Head, Department of Nursing, Mrs. Olayinka Owolabi, disclosed that Capping and Strapping is a special occasion and mandatory event for students who had successfully completed the Pre-Training Session in the first six months, having met the academic performance, attitude and conduct in the school, hostel and clinical areas.
She charged the students to take Nursing as a caring and noble profession with all seriousness and sense of responsibility as Lagos State College of Nursing is committed to the training of competent nurses, who will be able to compete favourably with their counterparts globally.
The Acting Head, Department of Midwifery, Mrs. Orji Urenna, applauded the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the Office of the Special Adviser on Education for showing strong support and commitment towards the development of the College, most especially the recognition and importance of the Basic Midwifery Programme (BMP).
Encouraging the Student Midwives to work very hard to achieve hundred percent results in the final qualifying examinations, she revealed that the College produces Midwives that are core professionals in Maternal and Child Mortality reduction at all levels of healthcare in Nigeria.
The Chairman, National Association of Nigeria Nursing and Midwifery (NANNM), LASCON Chapter, Mr. Matthew Ogbechie administered the Nurses Pledge and Oath taking to the Student Nurses and Midwives accordingly.
The highlight of the event was the presentation of awards to the Best Students in Practicals, Anatomy and Physiology; Overall Best Students and Provost Award for best-behaved Student Nurses and Midwives respectively.
