Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi, on Wednesday attended the inauguration, first capping, and matriculation ceremony of the Mother of Mercy College of Nursing Sciences, Mbutu-Okohia, Ngor Okpala, Imo State, where he personally capped the institution’s pioneer nursing students.
In her welcome address, the Provost, Rev. Sr. Tochukwu Martha Ike, described the ceremony as the fulfilment of a long-cherished dream of the Daughters of Mary Mother of Mercy (DMMM) to expand access to quality nursing education. She explained that the college was established to address Nigeria’s urgent need for skilled, compassionate, and professionally trained nurses, particularly in underserved communities.
Sr. Ike highlighted the institution’s early achievements, including securing full accreditation from the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria and commencing the Basic Nursing Programme with a team of qualified academic and administrative staff. She reaffirmed the college’s commitment to providing evidence-based, holistic, and community-centred nursing education.
While noting the challenges typical of a growing institution—especially the need for expanded infrastructure, improved facilities, and sustainable funding—the Provost expressed confidence that continued support from government, philanthropists, and partners would enable the college to mature into a world-class centre of excellence in healthcare training.
Addressing the matriculating students, Mr Obi congratulated them and charged them to live up to the noble ideals of the nursing profession. He urged them to embrace discipline, compassion, and professional integrity, describing nurses as “the heartbeat of every functional healthcare system.” He encouraged the pioneer set to pursue excellence, commit to lifelong learning, and dedicate themselves to service to humanity.
Obi also commended the DMMM Congregation for its enduring investments in education and healthcare, noting that faith-based institutions like Mother of Mercy College continue to play a vital role in strengthening Nigeria’s social and moral foundations.
The colourful ceremony ended with expressions of gratitude to the local community, government partners, benefactors, and stakeholders whose contributions made the establishment of the college possible. The event marked a significant step in advancing healthcare education in Imo State and beyond.
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