Al-Hikmah VC Urges Nursing Graduates to Shun ‘Japa’, Serve Nigeria

 

Ilorin – The Vice-Chancellor of Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin, Prof. Lateef Oladimeji, has urged newly inducted nursing graduates of the institution to shun the ‘japa’ syndrome and contribute to strengthening Nigeria’s healthcare system.

Oladimeji gave the advice at the induction and oath-taking ceremony of 62 nursing graduates of the university, held at the institution’s auditorium on Monday.

The Vice-Chancellor was represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Dr Sikiru Nurudeen at the occasion.

The vice-chancellor urged them stay in the country and assist the government to strengthen the nation’s healthcare services delivery, advising the inductees to uphold their professional oath and abide by the rules and ethical standards of the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN).

The vice-chancellor expressed concern over the increasing migration of Nigerian healthcare professionals abroad, saying that the trend posed a significant challenge to the country’s healthcare delivery system.

“I am aware that hundreds of our nursing graduates in the past two years, most of them, are no longer in the country.

“I want to appeal to you to shun ‘japa’ and stay in the country to assist Nigerians towards boosting the nation’s health professional personnel.

“I hope that, having been trained to be globally competitive, most of you will stay and help strengthen our national healthcare workforce.

“The ‘japa’ syndrome is a serious challenge to our nation’s healthcare system,” he said.

Oladimeji also advised them to be worthy ambassadors of the university by demonstrating professionalism, integrity and compassion in their practice.

He disclosed that the university had embarked on the construction of a modern complex for its Faculty of Nursing Sciences to enhance teaching, learning and professional training.

According to him, the complex will comprise lecture theatres, professorial suites, offices, lecture rooms and other facilities to support the faculty’s academic activities.

“As fresh graduates and inductees, I want you to see this induction as just the beginning of your journey in the profession.

“You are entering your career as professional nurses, and I urge you to take your responsibilities seriously,” he said.

Oladimeji congratulated the parents and guardians of the graduates, acknowledging their sacrifices and investments throughout the five-year training programme.

He commended them for supporting their children and wards to achieve the milestone.

Earlier, the Acting Dean of the Faculty of Nursing Sciences, Dr Mulikat Ibraheem, urged the inductees to uphold the values of knowledge, compassion and integrity in their professional practice.

Dr Ibraheem said nursing had deep historical roots in Islamic tradition, citing Rufaida Al-Aslamia, regarded as the first Muslim nurse, who cared for wounded people on battlefields during the early years of Islam.

“The history of nursing is not a Western import; it is deeply embedded in our Islamic tradition.

“Long before Florence Nightingale walked the battlefields of Crimea, there was Rufaida Al-Aslamia, a woman of extraordinary compassion and skill who tended to the wounded alongside the followers of Prophet Muhammad,” she said.

The dean noted that Rufaida established mobile field hospitals, trained other women in nursing and exemplified the values of compassion, trust and excellence.

According to her, the inductees are heirs to the legacy of care, which should be regarded not merely as a profession but also as an act of worship.

She urged them to anchor their professional practice on competence rooted in knowledge, compassion grounded in mercy, and character built on integrity and trust.

Ibraheem stressed the need for nurses to continually update their knowledge, acquire relevant skills and embrace evidence-based healthcare practices.

She also urged them to treat patients with dignity, respect and empathy, irrespective of their ethnic, religious or social backgrounds.

“As nurses, you are now entrusted with human lives. This trust is sacred.

“Uphold the codes of ethics of the International Council of Nurses and the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria.

“Be honest in your documentation, protect patient confidentiality and ensure that your conduct, both on and off duty, reflects the values of this institution and the profession,” she said.

The dean acknowledged that nursing could be demanding, with long working hours, emotional exhaustion and moments of self-doubt, but encouraged the inductees to remain steadfast and draw strength from their faith.

Also, the Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of the NMCN, Dr Ndagi Alhassan, represented by Prof. Saleh Ngaski Gimba, administered the professional oath to the 62 inductees.

Alhassan charged the newly inducted nurses to serve with competence, compassion and pride, describing nursing as one of the noblest professions.

He urged them to become ambassadors of hope to patients in hospitals, clinics and communities, wherever their professional careers might take them.

The guest lecturer, Prof. Adeyinka Ganiyat Ishola of the University of Ibadan, also urged the inductees to pursue continuous learning and professional development.

Ishola, who spoke on the topic, “The Art and Science of Nursing: Bridging Knowledge, Skill, and Compassion,” emphasised the importance of combining scientific knowledge and technical competence with empathy in delivering quality healthcare.

She encouraged the graduates to remain committed to acquiring new knowledge and improving their professional skills to meet the changing demands of the healthcare sector.

Advertisement: