The Central Washington College of Nursing Sciences, located in Akpuoga Nike, Enugu East Local Government Area of Enugu State, has pledged to offer automatic employment and scholarships to members of its host community.

The Founder of the college, Prof. Augustine Akubue, made the pledge during the school’s engagement with the community on Saturday in Enugu.

Mr Akubue, an octogenarian, said the school recently moved to its permanent site in Akpuoga-Nike from Enugu, adding that it would take off in September hence the need for interaction with the community.

He stressed the need for the community to collaborate with it in security, employment, protection and community development.

He said the college would offer automatic employment to community members, who were qualified to teach and indicate interest, including those interested in cleaning and security jobs.

Mr Akubue said, “We will organise free medical outreach for members of the community and be part of their development strategy like encouraging them to be in school and educating them. The college can also have a discounted rate for their children’s school fees, while exceptional students among them can enjoy our scholarship programmes. It is our own way of contributing our quota in human capital development and part of our social corporate development and interactions.’’

The founder explained that the school established in 2020, was approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, describing the visit as “quite significant.’’

Mr Akubue said the school offered courses in Nursing Sciences, Public Health, Community Health, Epidemiology and Disease Control, Environmental Health, and Postgraduate programmes in affiliation with The University of America.

Some of the community members, who spoke at the meeting, expressed gratitude to Mr Akubue for founding the community worthy to establish the college of nursing.

A stakeholder in the community, Williams Okoro, lauded the project, saying, “We are happy with this investment because it will benefit our community. What we are assuring them is that we will partner with the school to ensure that the investment succeeds.”

Another community member and former Deputy Chairman, Enugu East Council Area, Collins Ekete, added that the community would partner the school to ensure its growth.  

(NAN)