Archbishop Okeke Warns Nursing Students Against Abuse of Power, Says Patients’ Lives Depend on Your Conduct
By Polycarp Ifeanyi
The Metropolitan Catholic Archbishop of Onitsha Archdiocese, His Grace, Most Rev. Valerian Maduka Okeke, has admonished students of the College of Nursing Sciences, St. Charles Borromeo-Shanahan University Teaching Hospital, Onitsha, to use their power and charisma properly in the discharge of their duties.
Archbishop Okeke gave the admonition while preaching at the 9th matriculation and capping ceremony of 108 students of the college.
The ceremony, held at the college’s matriculation arena, commenced with a Pontifical Holy Mass presided over by Archbishop Okeke, who is the Proprietor of the institution, and concelebrated by other priests.
In his homily, the Prelate stressed that power and charisma are given for service to God and humanity.
“Our service to humanity will inscribe our names in the book of life. When you serve and assist others, God will bless you. Even when they do not come back to thank you or have nothing to reward you with, God’s reward is greater. God’s reward is infinite. Do not use your power to humiliate or insult anyone,” he stated.
He further cautioned the students that as nurses, life and death are sometimes in their hands.
“The way you treat a patient can make him live or die. Do not ever use your power to humiliate or destroy life. Life and death can come from your charisma or power. Power and charisma are for service. Do not misuse them. If you use them well, God will bless you whether people see you or not,” he admonished.
Archbishop Okeke, who expressed delight at the academic performance of the students, described them as the best among equals.
He urged them not to relent, not to be proud, and not to look back, but to maintain the standard set by their predecessors.
“Your predecessors have set a record of 100 percent. To surpass them, you must ensure you do not go below it,” he said.
In her welcome address, the Provost of the college, Mrs. Theresa Nnene Obi-Odunukwe, explained that nursing training is not merely an academic programme but a profound journey of transformation, where student nurses acquire not only knowledge and skills but are also moulded in character, empathy, patience and critical thinking.
She disclosed that the college has recorded steady growth in infrastructure, manpower and academic development, and has continued to produce competent, compassionate and globally competitive nursing professionals.
Despite these achievements, she noted that the college still faces challenges and appealed to government, religious bodies, corporate organisations and friends of the college to partner with the institution in the areas of infrastructural development, scholarship opportunities, laboratory equipment and digital teaching resources.
She advised the matriculants to be studious, respect their tutors and be compassionate to those they will serve, reminding them that nursing and midwifery are not just professions but vocations that demand both skill and character.
Delivering her keynote address on the theme, “Becoming The Nurse The World Needs: Excellence, Compassion, Integrity and Professional Responsibility,” Dr. Mrs. Salome Nwogu urged the matriculants to take their studies seriously, attend lectures regularly, read beyond their lecture notes, participate actively in clinical practice, ask questions and learn from their lecturers and experienced nurses.
In his vote of thanks, the Administrator of the college, Very Rev. Fr. Chukwunonso Nwanze, thanked God for the success of the ceremony and for clement weather.
He specially appreciated Archbishop Okeke for his moral and financial support to the college, describing him as a man who has given so much to humanity and whose benevolence knows no bounds.
He assured the Archbishop that the institution has continued to uphold its culture of excellence and will not disappoint him.
Fr. Nwanze also appreciated the Vice-Chancellor and Health Coordinator of Onitsha Archdiocese, Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Basil Ekwunife, the Chief Executive Officer of St. Charles Borromeo-Shanahan University Teaching Hospital, Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Izunna Okonkwo, the chaplain, Rev. Fr. Boniface Okafor, priests and religious from Onitsha Archdiocese and other dioceses, staff of the college and other dignitaries.
He equally expressed profound gratitude to Dr. Reka Fodor for her consistent support to the college, noting that she has been instrumental to the provision of facilities in the college and that her foundation has been wonderful in offering scholarships to students.
In an interview with journalists, Fr. Nwanze explained that matriculation is a significant event that gives new students in a higher institution the opportunity to understand that they have attained another milestone in their chosen profession.
He maintained that the college is determined to train competent nurses who will be well equipped to face the ever-changing dynamics in the health sector, reaffirming that the college remains the best among equals.
“The college always equips its graduates adequately, and this has continued to manifest in the excellent results they record in their examinations,” he stated.
In his appreciation speech, Archbishop Okeke commended the staff and management for keeping the flag of excellence flying and expressed satisfaction with the efforts of the Administrator.
In his closing remarks, the Registrar of the college, Rev. Fr. Felix Odibe, lauded Archbishop Okeke, the Vice-Chancellor, Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Basil Ekwunife, and all priests, religious and guests present, praying God to bless them abundantly.
