Gov Obaseki Wades In As Nursing College Denies Candidate Admission Due To Disability

By Ayodele Oni

Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has waded into an attempt by College of Nursing Sciences, Benin city to deprive a female applicant admission due to her physical disability.

The Governor has ordered the re-assessment of the candidate, Miss Precious Umoru to enable her commence her studies at the nursing College.

Provost, of the College, Prof. Patricia  Ukaigwe, in a statement on Tuesday, explained that the Governor’s directive, will make the management to review the candidate’s profile.

Miss Umoru was admitted at the College and was initially advised to withdraw after preliminary assessment of her physical condition, which was not disclosed at the point of admission.

The governor, upon learning of the case, intervened and requested that another assessment be conducted and that Miss. Umoru be provided with all necessary support for her condition for the re-assessment exercise.

The Admission Committee had deemed her eligible for admission based on her cognitive function and score on the CBT examination.

But upon her arrival at the school premises, the hostel manager observed that she had unstable gait and tremors.

A meeting was called between the Counselling Department of the College and Miss. Umoru’s parents, where the nature and history of her condition were reviewed to reach a fair decision on her physical fitness for the College’s rigorous training.

As part of this process, a preliminary assessment was conducted which had suggested that she might not be able to withstand the physical rigours of midwifery training.

The Provost stated that “a rescheduled assessment will take place on Thursday 13th April 2023 and the public will be provided with the necessary updates on the exercise.

“We want to assure that the College will not intentionally deny anyone an opportunity to get the best training and capacity enhancement in healthcare services.”