ILORIN, NIGERIA — The Vice-Chancellor of Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin, Professor Lateef Oladimeji, has cautioned newly inducted nursing graduates against the ‘japa’ syndrome. He said the trend is not only injurious to Nigeria’s healthcare delivery but also ruinous to the economy.
Olopade gave the advice in Ilorin, Kwara State, at the induction and oath-taking ceremony of 62 nursing graduates of the university.
A Call to Stay
Professor Oladimeji was represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Sikiru Nurudeen. He urged the graduates to stay in the country and assist the government to strengthen the nation’s healthcare delivery.
He advised the inductees to uphold their professional oath and abide by the rules and ethical standards of the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria.
He expressed concern over the increasing migration of Nigerian healthcare professionals abroad. He said the trend poses a significant challenge to the country’s healthcare delivery system.
“I am aware that scores of our nursing graduates in the past two years, most of them, are no longer in the country. I want to appeal to you to shun ‘japa’ and stay in the country to assist Nigerians towards boosting the nation’s health professional personnel,” Oladimeji said.
“I hope that, having been trained to be globally competitive, most of you will stay and help strengthen our national healthcare workforce. The ‘japa’ syndrome is a serious challenge to our nation’s healthcare system.”
Worthy Ambassadors
Oladimeji also advised them to be worthy ambassadors of the university. He said they should demonstrate professionalism, integrity, and compassion in their practice.
“As fresh graduates and inductees, I want you to see this induction as just the beginning of your journey in the profession. You are entering your career as professional nurses, and I urge you to take your responsibilities seriously,” he said.
He congratulated the parents and guardians of the graduates. He acknowledged their sacrifices and investments throughout the five-year training programme.
Nursing’s Islamic Roots
Earlier, the Acting Dean of the Faculty of Nursing Sciences, Dr. Mulikat Ibraheem, urged the inductees to uphold the values of knowledge, compassion, and integrity.
Dr. Ibraheem said nursing has deep historical roots in Islamic tradition. She cited Rufaida Al-Aslamia, regarded as the first Muslim nurse.
She said Rufaida cared for wounded people on battlefields during the early years of Islam.
“The history of nursing is not a Western import; it is deeply embedded in our Islamic tradition. Long before Florence Nightingale walked the battlefields of Crimea, there was Rufaida Al-Aslamia, a woman of extraordinary compassion and skill who tended to the wounded alongside the followers of Prophet Muhammad,” she said.
She noted that Rufaida established mobile field hospitals and trained other women in nursing. She exemplified the values of compassion, trust, and excellence.
Professional Ethics
Ibraheem stressed the need for nurses to continually update their knowledge. She urged them to acquire relevant skills and embrace evidence-based healthcare practices.
She also urged them to treat patients with dignity, respect, and empathy. She said this should apply irrespective of their ethnic, religious, or social backgrounds.
“As nurses, you are now entrusted with human lives. This trust is sacred. Uphold the codes of ethics of the International Council of Nurses and the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria. Be honest in your documentation, protect patient confidentiality, and ensure that your conduct, both on and off duty, reflects the values of this institution and the profession,” she said.
Administering the Oath
The Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of the NMCN, Dr. Ndagi Alhassan, administered the professional oath to the 62 inductees. He was represented by Professor Saleh Ngaski Gimba.
Alhassan charged the newly inducted nurses to serve with competence, compassion, and pride. He described nursing as one of the noblest professions.
He urged them to become ambassadors of hope to patients in hospitals, clinics, and communities.
What This Means
The induction marks the beginning of the graduates’ professional careers. It also highlights the challenges facing Nigeria’s healthcare system.
The ‘japa’ syndrome continues to deplete the country’s healthcare workforce. The government and stakeholders must address the root causes to retain skilled professionals.
