By Millicent Ifeanyichukwu
Prof Omolola Irinloye, the Vice-Chancellor, Achievers University, Owo, has urged the newly inducted Trinity University (TU) graduate nurses to see nursing as more than a profession but a call to responsibility, sacrifice and service.
Irinloye, a Guest Lecturer, gave the charge during her presentation at the institution’s induction ceremony for its second set of nursing graduates, held on Wednesday at the City Campus, Yaba, Lagos.
The Bachelor of Nursing Science graduates were inducted and presented provisional licences by Mr Ndaggi Alhassan, CEO/Registrar of the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN).
Irinloye described nursing as a profession dedicated to upholding everyone’s right to enjoy the highest attainable standard of health through shared commitment to collaborative, culturally safe people-centred care and services.
According to her, the distinguished characteristic of a graduate nurse are high standard of professionalism, exceptional communication skills, effective interpersonal skills, never-ending diligence, continuous learning amongst others.
“As nurses, you must be committed to saving lives, act as advocate for people’s equitable access to healthcare and pursue lifelong learning. Nursing is a journey of sacrifice where the service and commitment define the lives you touch.
She highlighted nursing’s vast opportunities beyond hospitals as including leadership, advocacy, global mobility, digital health, and specialisation.
She stressed that these open doors afforded nurses the opportunity to make meaningful impacts wherever they served globally.
According to her, Nigeria’s nursing education remains a global benchmark, producing professionals renowned for excellence, discipline and resilience, balancing compassion with competence qualities that make them highly sought after abroad.
Earlier, Dr Olalade Fadipe, Commissioner IV, Lagos State Health Service Commission, advised the inductees to uphold ethics, embrace continuous learning and place professionalism at the centre of their nursing practice.
Fadipe commended the graduates’ five-year dedication, urging them to apply scientific knowledge with empathy as they transition to real-world practice and uphold the true spirit of the nursing profession.
She encouraged teamwork, ethics and self-care, emphasising that nursing demanded integrity, compassion and total commitment to patients’ well-being in all circumstances, especially in today’s evolving healthcare environment.
“Bring your skills, science and humanity to serve others. Be present, practice kindness and create healing environments through empathy, professionalism and the pursuit of continuous growth.
“Hold fast to lifelong learning, teamwork and ethics. Healthcare is collaborative. Communicate clearly, stay curious, and prioritise self-care as you care for others,” Fadipe counselled.
In his remark, Prof Clement Kolawole, the Vice-Chancellor, Trinity University, described nursing as a lifelong calling rooted in compassion, service and care.
He urged the graduates to lead lives defined by excellence and humanity.
Kolawole urged the inductees to see nursing not merely as a profession but as a lifelong commitment to humanity, anchored in compassion, integrity and unwavering dedication.
“When you walk with God, His wisdom guides your choices, His grace strengthens your journey, and His presence turns every challenge into a stepping stone,” Kolawole stated.
He reminded the nurses that their rigorous academic and clinical training had prepared them to touch lives and shape futures with compassion, confidence, and professional distinction worldwide.
“You are called to touch lives serve with compassion, lead with integrity, and let your light of excellence shine wherever the nursing profession takes you,” Kolawole said.
The TU Vice-Chancellor appreciated NMCN’s dedication to professional standards and reaffirmed partnerships with global healthcare institutions for world-class clinical training and lifelong impact through excellence and dedicated service.
Similarly, Mr David Oyejide, Registrar of Trinity University, said the Nursing programme blended academic excellence with practical training, equipping students with compassion and competence to meet global healthcare challenges.
Oyejide noted that the five-year Bachelor of Nursing Science programme’s stress and hard work culminate in joy as graduands proudly earn four certificates: Registered Nurse, Midwife, Public Health Nurse, and B.N.Sc.
He emphasised the university’s commitment to nursing education as a national investment, producing globally competent nurses through rigorous academic and clinical training designed to serve humanity with distinction.
He explained that the curriculum integrated global health trends, technology and ethics, preparing graduates for responsible leadership as the faculty mentored them to uphold excellence, integrity and professional distinction.
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