The Benue State House of Assembly has passed a bill to establish the Benue State College of Nursing Sciences, a move aimed at boosting the training of qualified healthcare professionals in the state.

 

The bill scaled through its final stage on the floor of the House after a robust debate led by the Chairman of the House Committee on Health, Thomas Dugeri (APC/Kwande West). Dugeri highlighted the pressing need for the institution, noting that the public had expressed strong support for its creation. He urged his colleagues to expedite its passage to enable the college to seek the necessary accreditation without delay.

 

Presiding over the clause-by-clause review, Speaker Alfred Emberga explained that the proposed college would operate three campuses in Makurdi, Adikpo, and Otukpa to ensure accessibility for students across the state.

 

To maintain high academic and professional standards, Emberga stressed that anyone appointed as provost must be a qualified nurse with at least a Master’s Degree in Nursing. The provost’s tenure will be four years, renewable for another four years based on performance and the institution’s needs.

 

Following the detailed review, Emberga directed the Clerk of the House, Dr. Bem Mela, to read the bill for the third and final time. After the reading, the Speaker formally declared the bill passed, paving the way for the establishment of the Benue State College of Nursing Sciences.

 

With the passage of the bill, Benue State is set to strengthen its healthcare manpower development and provide more training opportunities for aspiring nurses.