The Vice-Chancellor of University of Calabar Prof Florence Banku Obi has identified Nursing as pastoral work, saying it is a noble profession.

Prof Florence Banku Obi stated this at the College of Medical Sciences Conference Room during an opening Ceremony of the University of Calabar/Centre of teaching and learning Excellence-Carnegie Africa Diaspora Fellowship Program for the training of nurses on preceptorship with the theme: ‘’Bridging the theory- practice Gap in Nursing: the preceptor's Role’’.

The Vice Chancellor, who was represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Administration, Prof Micheal Okom, charged them to always embrace the virtues of humanism, humility and care in the course of discharging their duties.

 

While applauding them for the great initiative in collaborating with Carnegie African Diaspora Fellowship preceptorship in training and retraining of receptors, the University helmsman further described the nursing as a ‘selfless’ profession, even as she urged the participants to use the training workshop to ‘right the wrongs’ in the nursing profession.

 

Hear her, “Nursing is like a pastoral work, you must be selfless, humble and compassionate. You have to discharge your duties with love and care and I am happy that this training is here to right the wrongs of this profession’’

 

Earlier speaking, Provost of the college of Medical Sciences, Prof Victor Ansa, who was represented by the Deputy Provost, Prof Margaret Agiang said the college is always ready for collaboration and partnership, even as he encouraged the participants to key into the opportunity.

The Provost who described the College as the flagship of the institution said anything that affects the College, positively or negatively, also affects the University.

 

The Keynote Speaker, Dr. EMILIA N.IWU who is the Carnegie representative stated that the Carnegie African Diaspora fellowship Program is designed to reverse Africa's brain drain, strengthen capacity in the host institution, and develop long-term mutually-beneficial collaborations between universities in Africa, the United States and Canada.

 

 Dr Iwu further stated that continuing education/clinical update which is focused on current evidence based Innovations in clinical practice and population health provides the necessary knowledge and skills for students’ support, adding that it will also improve the students’ clinical practice and impact on patient’s outcomes.

 

The Head of Department of Nursing and Midwifery Sciences, Dr Margaret M. Opiah in her goodwill message, stated that the ceremony brings to memory the historic importance of Carnegie African Diaspora fellowship program (CADFP)which is aimed at turning African brain drain to brain circulation.

 She further said that CADFP’s initiative to transform Healthcare training in Africa to attain a level of high quality practice is a clear demonstration of their untiring efforts at bridging theory- Practice gap and transformation of our health care sector.

The Director of Centre for Teaching and learning Excellence(CTLE), Prof Mbe Nja described nursing as a wonderful profession, adding that, the Centre is happy to identify with them.