The Cross River State Government has inaugurated the State Committee on Nursing and Midwifery, ending a 12-year period of dormancy and reinforcing its commitment to strengthening healthcare regulation and professional standards.
The committee was formally inaugurated on March 31, 2026, by the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Henry Egbe Ayuk, during a ceremony held at his office in Calabar.
The reconstitution marks the first time the statutory body, an arm of the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN), has been operational since June 2014. The 21-member committee is mandated to oversee nursing registration, professional conduct, and training standards across the state.
Dr. Ayuk described the development as a major step toward strengthening the healthcare system, noting that nurses remain central to medical practice and patient care delivery.
“The people that taught me medical practice were nurses. I used to learn basic techniques from them, and I remain humbled by their dedication,” he said.
He further disclosed that the state government had intensified recruitment in the health sector, noting that nearly 100 new nurses had been injected into the system, with more recruitment ongoing.
“If you are double-qualified, you are automatic. Apply to us and the Civil Service Commission will employ you,” he added.
The Permanent Secretary, Dr. Jonah Bassey Offor, emphasized the importance of collaboration between health professionals for improved service delivery.
“Doctors and nurses must work synergistically together to ensure patient safety. I will give the committee all the support it needs to guarantee the highest standards of care across all facilities,” he said.
Also speaking, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Nursing, Dr. Coco-Bassey Esu, said the administration’s structure reflects its strong commitment to the nursing profession, noting that the state is uniquely positioned with both a Special Adviser and Special Assistant on Nursing.
The Director of Nursing Services, Mrs. Roseline Obojor-Ogar, described the inauguration as a long-awaited milestone, noting that the committee had not been constituted since June 27, 2014.
A retired nursing leader, Mrs. Margaret Armon, commended the revival of the committee, saying it would strengthen nursing practice and extend services to the grassroots.
The inaugurated 21-member committee comprises Mrs. Roseline Obojor-Ogar (Director of Nursing Services); Mrs. Ememobong Akpan (Zonal Officer); Mrs. Courtesy Uduku (Representative, Clinical Site, FHI); Comrade Josephine Bassey and Comrade Ijeoma Njoku (Representatives, NANNM Cross River State Council); Mrs. Mbang Ogbuji (Representative, Clinical Site, General Hospital Calabar); Mr. Bassey Etim (Representative, Primary Health Care Development Agency); Chief Barr. Aji Eko (Representative, Cross River State Colleges of Nursing Sciences); Dr. (Mrs.) Margaret Armon (Representative, Private Nurses); and Mrs. Ekema Ayang (Representative, Primary Health Care).
Other members include Dr. Noah Ashibi (Representative, Ministry of Education/Tertiary Institutions); Mrs. Eneanwan Ene (Representative, Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Calabar); Dr. Agnes Ineme (Representative, College of Nursing Sciences, UCTH); Prof. Alberta Nsemo (Representative, Department of Nursing, UNICAL); Lieut. Commander F. I. Ozomagbo (Representative, Armed Forces); Mr. Simon Ushie (Representative, Paramilitary/NCOS); Elder (Mrs.) Emily Whiley (Representative, Retired Nurses); Barr. Bassey Mba (Representative, Tutors); Mrs. Sarah Unaji (Representative, SERVICOM); Dr. (Mrs.) Victoria Abang (Representative, Public); and Dr. Jonah Bassey Offor (Representative, Hospital Management Board).
The committee is expected to provide regulatory oversight, strengthen nursing education, and enhance professionalism across health facilities in the state.
Kingsley Agim and Jessica Ubi
