NAF College of Nursing Science produces first set of 30 nurses
The Nigerian Air Force College of Nursing Sciences (NAFCONS) on Friday graduated it’s first set of 30 nurses and inducted them into the noble profession at the institution in Kaduna.
Addressing the 30 graduates, the Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Mashall Oladayo Amao, said “our collective commitment to excellence is paramount if the service is to effectively discharge its constitutional duties.”
Amao said that the graduation and induction into the nursing profession is indeed a milestone for the young nurses, as well as the college and the Nigerian Air Force.
He added that “for NAF, today’s graduation is consistent with our concerted efforts to drive my vision for service through purposeful training and human capacity development.”
According to him, the graduates are expected to bring their experiences, skill and knowledge acquired during the training to bolster overall NAF operations.
He explained that the Nigerian Air Force College of Nursing Sciences was established to train nursing manpower in response to the increasing medical manpower needs following continuous expansion of NAF operations.
He said “the college is expected to pursue purposeful training and human capacity development within the NAF medical service to meet contemporary health and manpower challenges.
“This is very essential as we continue to encounter more diseases of public health concern such as Lassa fever, Ebola Virus Disease, COVID-19 and monkey pox, among other diseases in Nigeria and other parts of the world.
“Additionally, the Nigerian Air Force admits civilian students into the Nigerian Air Force College of Nursing Sciences as part of efforts to promote civil-military relationship.”
He announced that the college has five indigenes of Kaduna State currently on full scholarship by the Nigerian Air Force, adding that “the admission slot was further increased from 50 to 100 in the Year 2022.
“Furthermore, with the upgrade of the Nigerian Air Force College of Nursing Sciences to a degree awarding institution, I have no doubt that the college will live up to its expectations by churning out competent nurses.
“Therefore, I urge the graduating students to be proud of being the first set of students to study and graduate from this prestigious institution.
“Accordingly, the Nigerian Air Force expects a lot from you, particularly with regards to setting standards in terms of performance, discipline and loyalty.
“On our own part, we will continue to do our utmost best within the limit of available resources to ensure the provision of necessary requirements for the college to perform effectively.”
Earlier, the Chief of Medical Services, NAF, Air Commodore Anthony Ekpe, said one of the numerous benefits that the medical services branch got from the CAS is the establishment of NAFCONS as an autonomous unit.
Epke said that as a noble profession, graduates should aim for excellence, commitment to duty and responsibilities.
He said “the way to appreciate the service is to continue to be patriotic, disciplined and dedicated to duty.
“Additionally, may I inform you that NAFCONS has almost completed its affiliation process with the prestigious Ahmadu Bello University Zaria for the commencement of Bachelor of Nursing Science (BNSc) Programme.”
Newsmen report that Dr Faruk Abubakar, the Secretary General/Registrar, Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, inducted the new nurses.
Newsmen also reports that awards were given to students who distinguished themselves during the course of study.
