Matae Ecclesiae College of Nursing Sciences Commences Operations In Mbaise

By: COLLINS AMADI

The Matae Ecclesiae College of Nursing and Allied Sciences, located in Ogbe Ahiara, has officially commenced its academic programs.

During the inauguration held over the weekend, His Lordship, Most Rev. Simeon Okezue Nwobi, the Catholic Bishop of Ahiara Diocese, announced that the college’s approval had been temporarily suspended in 2023 following the assumption of office by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Bishop Nwobi further indicated that the applications for the college’s accreditation and that of Public Health College of Technology had been submitted to the Nursing Council of Nigeria.

He confirmed that both institutions have now received the necessary approvals and accreditations.

The College is set to operate for a duration of two years before undergoing its next accreditation review.

Additionally, approvals for the Pharmacy and Medical Laboratory Sciences programs are anticipated.

Both colleges are situated directly across from one another in Ogbe Ahiara.

Bishop Nwobi also announced that application forms for prospective students are currently available at the Ahiara Diocesan Secretariat and the College of Nursing Sciences in Ogbe, priced at Twenty Thousand Naira.

The Bishop assured that tuition fees will be affordable for all students, regardless of their indigenous status.

He also revealed that the cutoff marks for admission into the two institutions are 150 and 140 respectively

In a show of support, Rev. Fr. Dr. Evaristus Mbata, Chancellor of the Catholic Diocese of Ahiara, commended Archbishop Lucius Ugorji, the predecessor of Bishop Nwobi, for initiating the establishment of the colleges.

The cleric expressed profound gratitude to Engr. Lady Kelechi Anaele for her pivotal role in ensuring the colleges’ establishment despite numerous challenges, referring to her as a true daughter of Mbaise.

Fr. Augustine Okoro, Vicar General of the Catholic Diocese of Ahiara, along with Fr. Ogbonna of Holy Rosary Hospital, Ogbor Nguru, and several other priests, shared their joy at witnessing the realization of their aspirations.

A special prayer was offered for Engr. Anaele by Rev. Fr. Paul Ohaeri, acknowledging her as the bridge to the successful establishment of both colleges.