By Charles Igwe
A total of 163 new students were formally matriculated at the College of Nursing Sciences, St. Charles Borromeo Specialist Hospital, Onitsha during a ceremony held on October 21. The event, hosted at the college’s podium in Onitsha, featured a Holy Mass celebrated by Valerian Maduka Okeke, Archbishop of the Onitsha Ecclesiastical Province and proprietor of the institution.
In his homily, Archbishop Okeke advised the incoming students that true excellence extends beyond outward appearance. “Packaging is not excellence … to achieve excellence, you must be consistent, persevere, remain committed to your studies, and back your efforts with prayers,” he said. He also commended the college’s administration and staff for maintaining high academic and moral standards.
During the ceremony, Mrs. Theresa Ita Aniedu, Provost of the college, reported that the institution has experienced significant growth in facilities, academic staff, and training capacity since its inception. She reaffirmed the college’s mission to train competent, compassionate, and globally-competitive nursing professionals but also noted that challenges remain, including the need for modern simulation equipment, improved transportation, and increased funding for infrastructure, research, and faculty development.
Of the 163 matriculating students, 115 are enrolled in the nursing programme and 48 in midwifery, according to Rev. Fr. Fidelis Chukwunonso Nwanze, the college administrator. Fr. Nwanze thanked Archbishop Okeke for his continued leadership and revealed that under the Archbishop’s oversight, staff salaries have been increased and resources have been allocated to further strengthen the institution’s performance.
Participants described the event as both celebratory and deeply reflective, underscoring the college’s emphasis on character formation in addition to academic achievement.
