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Umontuen becomes first Akwa Ibom inducted into the Nigerian Books of Record

Founder and Chairman of the Governing Board of the College of Nursing Sciences in Obohia Ndoki, Abia State, Dr Godwin Umontuen has been inducted into the Nigerian Books of Record (NBR) Hall of Fame, recognizing his outstanding commitment to advancing medical education in Nigeria.
The historic event, held at the college premises last weekend, was chaired by Professor Sunday Chinenye, a distinguished Professor of Medicine and Consultant Physician/Endocrinologist at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital.
The ceremony attracted numerous dignitaries from across the country, celebrating the achievements of Dr. Umontuen, the first Akwa Ibom indigene to receive this prestigious honor.
Addressing the mammoth crowd, Professor Chinenye expressed his amazement at the college’s development and praised Dr. Umontuen and his wife, Confidence, for their impactful investment in Obohia Ndoki.
He described Dr. Umontuen as a worthy in-law and his wife as a jewel of inestimable value, who has brought tremendous benefit to her hometown. He urged the newly enlisted students to take their studies seriously and strive to be shining examples of the college.
Chief Sir Chris Nkwonta, the member representing Ukwa East and Ukwa West in the House of Representatives, also spoke at the event, expressing satisfaction with the college’s rapid growth.
He lauded the resilience and courage of the Umontuens for treading a path many feared to take, noting that their success is now clearly evident.
He congratulated the new students and encouraged them to emulate the virtues exhibited by Dr. Umontuen and his wife in their pursuit of a successful nursing career.
In a goodwill message, Dr. Emmanuel Umontuen expressed joy over the ceremony and extended his appreciation to the NBR for honoring Dr. Umontuen.
Professor David David, Director General of the NBR, emphasized in his address that the Nigerian Books of Record is an official document that highlights outstanding achievements, milestones, and records set by individuals, organizations, and events within Nigeria. It showcases the talents, innovations, and contributions of Nigerians to the global community.
He noted that Dr. Umontuen’s induction into the NBR recognizes his exceptional contributions to education, healthcare, and community development in Nigeria, marking him as the first citizen of Akwa Ibom to be inducted.
Chief Ugochukwu Nduwisi, the Ezele of Obohia Kingdom, expressed his delight at witnessing the event, saying, “This is highly commendable. I am very excited for Dr. Umontuen. According to the NBR officials, this induction is strictly based on merit and the significant impacts he has made on mankind.”
He continued, “If you look at Dr. Godwin’s contributions, he has played a vital role in people’s lives beyond the educational sector. Establishing the school in our community has also created business opportunities for the citizens of Obohia.”
In his acceptance speech, Dr. Umontuen expressed deep gratitude to God for the strength and grace that enabled him to work hard, crediting these for his recognition.
He also thanked the NBR team for acknowledging his efforts and pledged to continue contributing to nation-building through the development of future generations.
“The honor bestowed upon me by the Nigerian Books of Record is a recognition of our modest contributions to the advancement of the nursing profession. I do not take this honor lightly as it signifies that the world is watching what we are doing here. I am grateful for this recognition and pledge to continue working tirelessly to advance the nursing profession and improve healthcare in our nation,” he stated.
In a related development, the College of Nursing Sciences enlisted its pioneer students into the second phase of their Nursing and Midwifery programs.
While formally inducting the students, the Educationist highlighted that the enlistment ceremony marks the commencement of the next phase in their journey into the nursing profession.
He, therefore, congratulated the students, saying, “You are the reason I am being honored today. The motivation for me is the faith you had in college from the start—from a forest ground to beautiful edifices, fully equipped labs, classes, and hospitals.
” The icing on the cake is the fact that you have all been duly indexed by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, completed your six months of clinical postings, and are now preparing for the Nursing Council examination starting in March 2024.
” My fulfillment comes from knowing that the college is producing entrepreneurially minded medical professionals, bridging the health manpower needs in the country, and addressing the gaps in the nursing profession caused by brain drain and the ‘japa’ syndrome.”
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