Benue Assembly Approves Bill For Nursing College

The Benue State House of Assembly has given the nod to a bill seeking the establishment of the Benue State College of Nursing Sciences.

The bill scaled through its third reading during Thursday’s plenary after a clause-by-clause consideration by lawmakers.

Leading the debate, the Chairman of the House Committee on Health, Thomas Dugeri (APC, Kwande West), underscored the urgent need for a specialised institution to strengthen healthcare delivery in the state. He noted that residents had consistently expressed support for the initiative, stressing that speedy passage would pave the way for accreditation and operations.

Speaker of the House, Alfred Emberga, explained that the college would run multiple campuses across Benue. He also highlighted stringent requirements for the appointment of a provost, saying only a qualified nurse with at least a Master’s degree in Nursing would be eligible. The provost’s tenure, according to him, would run for four years, with the possibility of renewal subject to performance.

After the Clerk of the House, Dr. Bem Mela, read the bill for the final time, Emberga pronounced it passed.