The Ancient town of Ogidi was agog last weekend as dignitaries attended the ground breaking event and foundation laying ceremony of Ijumu Anglican College of Nursing Sciences, the first tertiary institution in the Local Government Area.
The Executive Chairman of Ijumu Local Government Area, Alh. Haruna Ibrahim expressed delight over the project which he noted will be given the needed support and cooperation it deserves.
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Alh. Haruna applauded the visionary qualities of the Bishop of the Diocese, Right Reverend Paul Ojo, assuring that all resources will be deployed to ensure the speedy completion of this project.
“I want to thank God that this is happening during my own time as the Executive Chairman of Ijumu Local Government Area. There is no doubt in the fact that there’s currently a paradigm shift in the Local Government and I want to assure you that you will not have anything less in my own Tenure by the grace of God.
Also, I want to appreciate the facilitator of this Project. By the special grace of God, in a short while, I will be here to commission this Project. I assure you that we will use all the resources that is available to fast track the completion of this project.
Ogidi is my Community, Ijumu is my Local Government and Kogi is my State, My Lord Bishop sir, we are happy that you are bringing this project to Ogidi. You don’t need to beg us, this is our project and we will support it. It has become our project and not your project anymore.
The Olujumu of Ijumu Kingdom, HRM. Oba Williams Olusegun Ayeni showered encomiums on the Bishop of Ijumu Anglican Diocese, describing him as a blessing to the Church and the entire Local Government.
Oba Ayeni commended Bishop Ojo for his continuous prayers and for bringing innovations that has brought transformation to the Diocese.
Chairman of the Occasion and Chief Launcher, Dr. Akin Ogunbiyi appealed to public spirited individuals to support the College Project generously towards producing reputable Health Workers for the future of Okun land, Kogi State and the Nation.
Joachim Olorunfemi Victor, Representative of the Chairman of the Occasion
Represented by Mr. Joachim Olorunfemi Victor, Dr. Ogunbiyi who is the Group Chairman, Mutual Benefits Assurance PLC praised the Diocese for embarking on the Project, which he noted was a step in the right direction.
On his part, the Ologidi of Ogidi, HRM Oba Rabiu Olademiji Sule said he understands the value of the College, hence the donation of land free for the Project.
Earlier, the Bishop of Ijumu Anglican Diocese, Church of Nigeria, Prof. Paul Ojo explained that the establishment of the college was in continuation of the efforts of the founding fathers of the Church with the building of Schools.
In his words, “This is the first higher institution on the soil of Ijumu kingdom, to God alone be all the glory. The vision about this college came as a result of prayers, and the age long yearnings for such infrastructural development in Okunland in general, and what role can cooperate bodies, (especially the Christian Church like the Anglican, and the Roman Catholic Mission, etc, whom the Lord has used and is still using for the educational development of this area-Ijumu, Kabba, Bunu, Ekiti, Akoko etc in time past and in the present) and individuals also whom God has blessed, can play to compliment government efforts in bridging the gap and raise generations of graduate Nurses and other health professionals from this area and beyond.
He noted that the College when it commence full operation will produce health workers that will be useful both locally and internationally.
This college of Nursing Sciences is very dear to us, and I plead with all of us to rise up to get it established in this part of Okunland, our children and the unborn children will have it very very close to them, the choice of career will no longer be difficult, since there are multiple opportunities that are very close bye, they can choose Nursing as a Career.
Prof. Ojo while appealing for the support of the Public for the success of the Project added that the motto of the College is “There is Balm in Gilead.”
