CRS College of Nursing, Calabar, Matriculates New Students at Second Ceremony

 

The Cross River State College of Nursing Science, Calabar, has held its second matriculation and capping ceremony for ND and HND students, marking another key step in the institution’s growing academic journey.

The ceremony brought together students, staff and invited dignitaries to formally welcome new intakes into the college. A total of 240 students from the 2024/25 academic session and 256 students from the 2025/26 session were matriculated. Also inducted were 100 Basic Nursing students from the 2024 set and 100 Basic Midwifery students from the 2025 set.

Addressing the gathering, the Visitor to the college, His Excellency Apostle Sen. Dr Prince Bassey Edet Otu, who was represented by the Commissioner for Health, Elder Dr Henry Egbe Ayuk, praised the college for its steady progress. He assured students and staff of a supportive learning environment and reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to strengthening nursing education in Cross River State.

The Commissioner disclosed plans for further infrastructural development and the proposed affiliation of the College of Nursing with the university system. According to him, this would create opportunities for HND holders to upgrade their qualifications to BSc degrees.

In her remarks, the Provost of the College of Nursing, Mrs Joy Nelson, expressed appreciation to the Governor for his consistent support. She highlighted several achievements recorded under the current administration, including the provision of a 32-seater bus, the construction and commissioning of the Bishop Eyo Anwan Bassey Otu Entrepreneurial Development Centre, and the establishment of a fully equipped public health department. She also noted that the college had undergone two accreditation exercises, both funded by the state government.

The Chairman of the ceremony, Hon. Prince Effiom Bassey Effiong, represented by the Secretary of the Council, urged the newly admitted students to remain mindful of the values of the nursing profession and the ideals of the institution throughout their studies.

Other dignitaries, including Rt Hon. Ekpo Ekpo, Mrs Uduak Efem, Comrade Coco-Bassey Esu and Dr Christy Ekpe, congratulated the students on their matriculation. They commended the Governor for his support of nursing education and encouraged the students to uphold professional ethics, show compassion to patients, pursue excellence and maintain a positive attitude to learning.

Goodwill messages were also received from several notable personalities, among them the Head of Service, Barr. Orok Okon; the Accountant General of the state, Dr Mrs Glory Effiong; the Chairman of the Governing Council, College of Nursing, Obudu, Mrs Mary Esuku; the Provost of the College of Nursing, Itigidi; Deaconess Ruth Ita Ebong; the Director of Nursing Services, Mrs Roseline Obojor; the National Financial Secretary of NANNM, Comrade Ojong Ogar; the State Chairman of NANNM, Comrade Josephine Bassey; as well as zonal coordinators of the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria and NBTE, among others.

The ceremony concluded with renewed assurances of the government’s commitment to nursing education and best wishes for the students as they begin their academic pursuits.