ABSCON Matriculates 335 Students
By: Gele Agbai
The Abia State College of Nursing Sciences (ABSCON) conducted the capping ceremony for its 335 nursing and midwifery students on Thursday, April 30, 2026.
The students were drawn from the college’s four campuses located in Aba, Amachara, Umuahia, and Abiriba.
The ceremony, which involved students from the September and November 2024 and March 2025 cohorts, took place at the International Conference Centre (ICC) in Ogurube Layout, Umuahia.
During the event, the State Commissioner for Health, Professor Enoch Ogbonnaya Uche, encouraged the matriculants to emulate Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing, by leading impactful lives.
Professor Uche, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Mrs. Ifeyinwa Blossom Uma, stated that the capping ceremony signifies a transition from theoretical learning to practical application, as students will now engage in practical training at health facilities as part of their continued education.
She urged the matriculants to integrate competence with compassion, becoming the “Epistles” for their patients.
The Permanent Secretary praised the administration of Dr. Alex Otti for upgrading infrastructure and curricula as part of efforts to enhance the college.
She disclosed that the governor recently granted a waiver allowing the ministry to recruit 550 nurses, indicating that employment opportunities await the college’s graduates.
In her keynote address, Mrs. Onyekachi Chigbu, a nursing tutor, stressed the importance of care, empathy, and knowledge in fulfilling the responsibilities of nursing.
She advised the matriculants to cultivate the ability to understand and share the emotions of others, urging them to “put yourself in the shoes of your patients to lift them emotionally, spiritually, etc. Listen beyond words and respond with understanding.”
Mrs. Chigbu further explained, “We uphold dignity when we act with empathy. See through your patients’ eyes and feelings. Without empathy, care becomes mechanical. Empathy matters; it builds trust. Listen to patients’ fears, and through knowledge provide the right care. Empathy alone cannot satisfy the requirements, making knowledge essential. Knowledge gives empathy direction, ensures safety, and earns credibility.”
In her address, Dr. Mrs. Amarachi Okorie, Provost of the college, noted that the capping ceremony formally welcomes the students into the nursing profession.
She emphasized the importance of nurses seeing beyond symptoms in their care for patients.
According to her, the college is committed to shaping professionals and molding students to compete globally, ensuring that every graduate meets established standards.
The Provost further urged the students to adhere to the college’s laws and regulations, ensuring their conduct aligns with the values instilled in them.
She also expressed gratitude to the parents and guardians for their sacrifices and for entrusting the college with the training of their wards and children.
