…115 Pineer Students Matriculate
By Mmaduabuchi Onwumelu
The Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, His Lordship, Most Reverend Paulinus Ezeokafor, on Saturday, 11th July 2026, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Cathedral, Awka, declared open the Regina Caeli College of Nursing Sciences, Awka, signalling the official commencement of full academic activities that will lead to the award of National Diploma certificate to its graduates.
Declaring the institution open during a Holy Mass he presided over to herald the matriculation ceremony of 115 pioneer students, Bishop Ezeokafor noted that so many efforts were made to secure accreditation for the institution, even as he thanked all who contributed to the success story, especially the Senator representing Anambra Central Senatorial District in the Red Chambers, Chief (Sir) Victor Umeh.
The charismatic and influential Prelate expressed delight in the successful take-off of academic activities in the College and charged the matriculating students to strive to be of good character and to excel in their academic work.
The Prelate, who spoke of the determination of the College to provide quality teaching, said that as a young College, public spirited individuals should donate generously to assist it in discharging its obligations.
Bishop Ezeokafor noted that the matriculation ceremony marked the official admittance and recognition of deserving and qualified students by the College community, the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, and the National Board for Technical Education.
The Coordinating Provost of the College, Mrs. Mary-Michael Ezenwuba, in her address, charged the matriculating students to ensure that they made the most of the opportunity given to them by their parents, guardians, and sponsors, and appealed for a new hostel block, an electronic mannequin, more library books, and about three hundred standard classroom seats to ensure the continued progress of the College.
She commended the Proprietor of the College, Bishop Ezeokafor, and others, for their various forms of support in ensuring that the dream of students seeking nursing education was achieved through the birth of Regina Caeli College of Nursing Sciences, Awka.
Commending the Awka Catholic Diocese for establishing the school to help government improve the health sector, the Mayor of Anaocha Local Government, Hon Rome Ibekwe, who also represented the APGA Anambra Central Senatorial Candidate, Chief Dozie Nwankwo, charged the students to be studious and diligent, saying that he was impressed with the diocese’s resolve to help train and produce quality and useful individuals that would bring about positive change to society. He added that the former federal lawmaker, Hon Dozie Nwankwo, would continue to encourage and support the mother Church in her task of protecting the future of the young people.
He charged the matriculating students to focus on their studies and not lose sight of why they were in school, urging them to be always mindful of their background in whatever they did.
The Chairman of the occasion, Barrister Sir Anthony Agbasiere, urged the students to stay back and study.
Agbasiere expressed confidence that the Church would provide the necessary spiritual backup and discipline to ensure the proper formation of the matriculating students.
Sir Agbasiere urged the students to be resolute in pursuing moral and academic excellence in the College, urging them to be patriotic in serving their father land after graduation if the condition was favourable, but to look for greener pastures outside the shores of Nigeria if conditions in the country were not favourable for their stay
He noted that Nigeria had all it took to make life meaningful for its citizens and urged the nation’s leaders to make the country work by providing the enabling environment, especially in the area of education.
Two of the students, Odinaka Nnazoba and Mmesoma Ugochukwu, while thanking God for the opportunity to get nursing education at the Regina Caeli College of Nursing Sciences, Awka, promised to make their families, the institution and society at large, proud in character and learning.
In his remarks, one of the matriculating nursing students, Mr. Odinaka Isaiah, promised to abide by all the ethics, rules, and regulations of the College.
Appreciating the Bishop and the guests, the College Administrator, Rev Fr John Paul Chukwuelobe, thanked Bishop Ezeokafor for what he described as his fatherly love and care, praying God to continue to keep and sustain him.
HRH, Obi Dr Gibson Nwosu (Eze -Uzu Awka), and Chief Barr Mrs Doris Nwankwo (Odiukonamba), served as the Royal Father and Mother of the Day, respectively.
Names of the Board of Directors are as follows:
Rev. Fr. Charles Ndubuisi – Board Chairman
Rev. Fr. John Paul Chukwuelobe – College Administrator
Ezenwuba, Mary- Michael Eziolu – Coordinating Provost
Fr. Innocent Kenechukwu Affusim – Member
Rev. Fr. Michael Onwukike – Member
Rev. Fr. Dr. Livinus Obianisi – Member
Sen. Victor Umeh, OFR (Ohamadike) – Member
Barr. Sir Anthony Agbasiere – Member
High Chief Christopher Ndubuisi (Ikenga Umuawulu) – Member
Dike, Christiana Ebele – Member
Barr. Ada Chika Udobi – Member
Lady Adaora Onyeyili, FWACNM, LSM – Secretary to the Board
The event featured award presentations to students with outstanding performances in academics and character, the administration of the oath of allegiance on the matriculating students, launch for the College hostel project, and a paper presentation on “Building Future Nurses with Compassion and Integrity” by the Head of the Nursing Department, Peter University, Achina/Onneh, Associate Professor Henrietta Okedo.