The Ogun State College of Nursing Sciences has marked another significant milestone with the convocation of its 2025 set of graduating nurses and midwives where the Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun gifted overall best graduating student with One million naira, while other award winning graduands got Five Hundred Thousand Naira each, with other cash gifts provided by the Ministry of Health and donors.

The ceremony, which took place at the Cultural Center Kuto Abeokuta, witnessed the conferment of diplomas and certificates to the graduating students who had undergone rigorous training in Nursing.

In his address, the Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun emphasised that the pathway of purpose is a journey that required dedication, hard work and a commitment to making a difference in the lives of others.

The Governor who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele, enjoined the graduands to see their graduation as celebration of both achievement and responsibility, saying that their hard-work should reflect the character of their profession.

        The Governor advised them to let compassion guide their practice and excellence should be their guardian, while promising that his administration would continue to strengthen the healthcare sector.

In her opening remarks, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker, said the vision of Ogun State College of Nursing Sciences was to transform the nursing profession, to prepare practitioners whose use of knowledge, research and problem-solving skills meet the emerging health needs of the immediate communities.

"We aim to produce Nurses who will promote health, restore hope, champion evidence-based practice and provide leadership for the advancement of the profession", She added.

Admonishing the graduands, Dr. Coker stressed the need for them to realise that as they were already stepping into reality, as the world would  not just rely on them, or look to their hands, but, their hearts, because their presence alone could give comfort and their knowledge could save lives.

"In Ogun State, under the leadership of His Excellency Prince Dapo Abiodun CON, we have invested deliberately in you so that your journey can begin on a firm foundation which many desired but didnt get. Know that you are exceptional and these investments have one purpose - to ensure that you, our future nurses and midwives, are well-prepared to lead, to care, to innovate and to transform the world" She concluded.

In her welcome address, the Provost Ogun State College of Nursing Sciences Dr. Jeminat Sodimu, reminded the graduands that Nursing is fundamentally about human connection, saying it is their duty to ensure that the human touch remained at the heart of their practice.

"Our communities need your intelligence, innovation and empathy to build a healthier and more compassionate world". She added.

In his keynote address, the guest lecturer, Head of Department Nursing, Crescent University, Dr. Shafiu Ademola, emphasised the need for the graduands to remain committed to innovation, enjoining them never to stop researching, learning and solving challenges.

According to Dr Ademola, the graduands must learn to solve healthcare problems creatively, calling on the present administration in Ogun State to upgrade the College to a degree awarding institution as it is one of the best Colleges of Nursing Sciences in Nigeria.

Appreciating the State government, the overall best graduating student, Grace Adelakun, on behalf of all other graduands appreciated God, the management and staff of Ogun State College of Nursing Sciences for their hard-work and commitment at ensuring they are product of excellence, promising that they would go out there and make them proud