The College of Health Technology, Calabar, on Thursday, December 4, 2025, held its 19th Matriculation Ceremony, formally admitting 811 new students into various programmes, a remarkable increase of more than 200 from the previous academic session. The event doubled as a platform for major government policy pronouncements and strategic institutional appeals poised to shape the future of health manpower development in Cross River State.
Representing the State Government, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Henry Egbe Ayuk, announced an ambitious plan to establish a fully functional, state-owned College of Medicine before the end of Governor Bassey Otu’s administration in 2031. According to him, the institution will enable the state to control its medical admissions quota and guarantee a sustainable pipeline of skilled health professionals.
Dr. Ayuk reaffirmed the administration’s focus on strengthening primary healthcare, which he described as the “pillar of healthcare.” He noted that over 80% of successful applicants in recent state health sector recruitment were products of technical and health training institutions such as the College, underscoring its strategic importance to the service.
Commending the College’s leadership, the Commissioner pledged government support to address pressing infrastructure needs. He promised to arrange a meeting between the Governor and the College Governing Council in January 2026 to advance discussions on renovation and expansion. He further charged the matriculating students to uphold discipline and cultivate confidence in their chosen professions, reminding them that their roles are as vital as those of medical doctors.
The Chairman of the Governing Council, Dr. Samuel Ernest Urom, restated the institution’s vision to upgrade to Polytechnic status to enable access to Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) interventions and broaden its programme offerings. He appealed for financial support to elevate the Pharmacy and Optometry programmes from certificate to National Diploma (ND), introduce new ND and HND courses, including Dispensing Opticianry, Community Health, Epidemiology & Disease Control, and Public Health Technology, and address staff welfare through regularization and promotion. He also called for the completion of the abandoned hostel project.
In his address, the Provost, Dr. Ita Edet Ikpeme, presented a detailed status update, celebrating the surge in student enrolment and key institutional achievements, including securing A-level accreditation for four departments: Optometry, Environmental Health ND, Health Information Management, and Computer Science. These milestones, he said, contributed to the College’s impressive overall performance rating of 90%.
Dr. Ikpeme highlighted ongoing infrastructure development, such as the construction of site laboratories and new staff offices, as well as the Governor’s donation of a Hilux vehicle. He, however, stressed urgent needs, including the establishment of a JAMB-standard CBT centre and the provision of official vehicles for principal officers.
Addressing the newly admitted students, the Provost urged the Class of 2025 to uphold integrity, discipline, and respect, describing them as the “transformative force our healthcare system requires.”
The ceremony attracted dignitaries including the representative of the Commissioner for Education, Dr. (Mrs.) Blessing Ugbe; the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr. Ekpo Ekpo Bassey; traditional rulers; members of the Academic Board; and other stakeholders.
Kingsley Agim and Jessica Ubi
