Traditional rulers and community leaders of Ishibori Community in Ogoja have unanimously declared that the Monaya campus of College of Nursing Sciences, Ogoja, should remain a government institution as directed by government at its Monaya reaffirming their support for the institution and its continued operations in the community.
The position was made known, Friday, during a stakeholders’ engagement between the community leadership and the Cross River State Commissioner for Health, Elder Dr Henry Egbe Ayuk, who met with the chiefs and leaders to address concerns arising from a reported proposal by the Catholic Diocese of Ogoja to take over the Monaya campus of the College.
Leading the community delegation, the Ntol of Ishibori Community, Ntol Mgbeje Ama III, said the traditional institution and people of Ishibori were united in their resolve to retain the College as a government institution as it is currently is in the community and ensure that it continues to serve its educational purpose.
Ntol Ama III said the community would formally communicate its position to both the Catholic Church and the Cross River State Government, stressing the importance of resolving the matter through dialogue and established channels.
Other prominent community leaders, including Ntol Clement Ashaba, Ntol of Ndok Clan; Chief Sir Thomas Ngaji Ntaji; and Chief Ada Ita Akuku, also spoke in support of the continued presence of the College in Ishibori, reinforcing the community’s unanimous position.
Speaking to the gathering, Dr Ayuk explained that the establishment of the College of Nursing Sciences, Ogoja, was part of the State Government’s deliberate policy to strengthen the health workforce by expanding opportunities for professional training and producing more qualified healthcare personnel for Cross River.
The Commissioner emphasised that the people of Ishibori, as landlords of the College, remained critical partners in the government’s efforts to develop and sustain the institution, noting that their cooperation was essential to achieving the broader objective of improving healthcare delivery across the state.
Dr Ayuk also clarified that he was not aware of any proposal by any group or organisation seeking to establish or take over a college of nursing, assuring the community that the government remained focused on strengthening existing health training institutions and expanding the state’s human-resource capacity in healthcare. He further said that any organization seeking to own or take over any institution must follow due process as determined by government
The engagement provided an opportunity for the Commissioner to directly interface with the traditional institution and community leadership, listen to their concerns and provide clarification on the issues surrounding the reported proposal.
The community leaders, in turn, reaffirmed their willingness to engage relevant authorities and stakeholders peacefully, while pursuing appropriate channels to communicate their position and protect the continued presence and operation of the College in Ishibori.
By Kingsley Agim
