By Tolulope Adeyefa, Akure
The National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), Federal Medical Centre, Owo, Ondo State, has urged its members to strive for excellence in their professional careers.
This call was made during the celebration of the 2025 International Nurses Day held on Wednesday at the Nurses’ House Auditorium, with the theme of the event was: “Our Nurses, Our Future: Caring for Nurses Strengthens Economies.”
In his welcome address, the Chairman of the association, Comrade Ayedun Oyewole Oluwafemi, emphasized the critical role nurses play in healthcare and economic development.
“This year’s theme underscores the vital role nurses play in the healthcare system, and by extension, the economy. As nurses, we are not just caregivers; we are pillars of strength in our communities. Our work impacts lives, and our contribution deserves recognition and support,” he said.
Ayedun further encouraged nurses to pursue self-improvement in order to enhance their skills and contribute meaningfully to the nation’s development.
“As we celebrate our convention, I urge each one of you to strive for excellence, pursue further academic qualifications, stay updated with best practices in nursing, and engage in policy discussions that affect our profession and healthcare delivery,” he added.
He also appealed to the management of the Centre to create an enabling environment that supports continuous professional development and provides opportunities for training and capacity building to boost morale and improve care delivery.
A lecture titled “From Practice to Policy: The Nurse’s Voice in Governance” was delivered by Dr. Olorunfemi Olaolorunpo, an Associate Professor and Head of Department at Achievers University, Owo. He advocated for the active participation of nurses in healthcare policymaking.
He noted that it is concerning that only two percent of nurses in Nigeria currently play a role in shaping health policy, despite representing a significant portion of the healthcare workforce.
While advocating for nurses to have a voice in health policy decisions, he urged them to actively engage through education, mentorship, networking, media, and leadership.
The second lecture, titled “Nurse-Led Ventures: Bridging Care and Commerce”, was delivered by Mrs. Jaiyeola Olubunmi. She engaged the audience on various business ideas and innovations to complement their careers, along with strategies for achieving work-life balance.
Earlier, the Ondo State NANNM Chairman, Comrade Orobode, remarked, “Contributing to the development of nursing has always been key to strengthening the nation’s economy.” He admonished nurses to carry out their duties with empathy and dedication, without discouragement.
Also speaking, the Head of Nursing Services, Mrs. Folorunsho, appreciated the Centre’s management for prioritizing the welfare of nurses and appealed for improved health facilities to support their work.
In his goodwill message, the Medical Director of the Centre, Dr. Liasu Adeagbo Ahmed, described nurses as the backbone of healthcare.
“Looking at the theme of this year’s Nurses Week, it’s clear that we must take care of our nurses if we hope to strengthen our healthcare system,” he said.
He noted that the Federal Medical Centre, Owo, has grown into a Teaching Hospital through the many laudable developments that have taken place.
“Our mandate is service, training, and research, and we are doing well in all these areas,” he said, while assuring nurses of continued development and a strong commitment to their welfare.
