A total of 128 graduates from the Osun State College of Health Technology (OSCO-Health), Ilesa, have been officially inducted into the Community Health Practitioners Registration Board of Nigeria (CHPRBN), marking a significant milestone in their journey as certified health professionals.
The induction ceremony, held at the institution’s main auditorium, highlighted both academic achievement and the college’s commitment to producing health practitioners equipped to serve at the grassroots and meet global standards.
Addressing the inductees, the Provost of the college, Dr Lateef Olarewaju Raheem, commended them for their hard work and dedication. He urged them not to rest on their laurels but to remain committed to excellence in service delivery.
Dr Raheem also revealed plans to upgrade the college’s status to a Polytechnic of Health and Management Sciences. He called on stakeholders, particularly illustrious sons and daughters of Ijesaland, to support the transformation and continued development of the institution.
The oath of professionalism was administered by the Registrar of CHPRBN, Dr Bashir Idris (Lifidin Jama’a), who was represented by the board’s South-West Zonal Technical Officer, Mr Abayomi Great. He described the induction as the dawn of a new era for the young practitioners and urged them to uphold integrity, compassion, and professionalism in the discharge of their duties.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Osun State Chapter of the Association of Community Health Practitioners of Nigeria, Dr Wale Adedapo, called for increased government investment in the primary health care sector. He emphasised the pivotal role that community health workers play in expanding access to basic healthcare, especially in rural areas.
Delivering the induction lecture, Mrs Teniola Oluwatosin Anuoluwapo, Principal Coordinator of the Community Health Officers Programme at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife, described community health as the backbone of Nigeria’s primary health care system.
She outlined the diverse responsibilities of community health practitioners, including addressing social determinants of health and promoting grassroots engagement. Mrs Teniola also advocated for the modernisation of the training curriculum to include digital literacy and mobile health tools for data collection, diagnosis, and follow-up care.
In her remarks, the Head of Department, Mrs Joyce Folasade Adebayo, praised the inductees for their perseverance and commended the college leadership for its unwavering commitment to quality health education.
The ceremony further underscored the vital role of community health workers as frontline defenders of public health, particularly in underserved and rural communities across the country.
