The Ogun Government has begun a three-day screening exercise of candidates for post Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), to prepare them for admission into the state’s College of Nursing.

The Commissioner for Health, Dr Tomi Coker, made this known while speaking with newsmen on Thursday at the college in Abeokuta.

Represented by Dr Tayo Lawal, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Health, Coker underscored the importance of nursing in healthcare delivery.

She noted that only the best candidates would be admitted to sustain the standard of the college.

“We are looking for individuals who are passionate about caring for others, who are dedicated and willing to go the extra mile to make a difference in the lives of their patients,” she said.

The commissioner said the screening was the first after the college’s conversion from school of nursing, expressing satisfaction on the conduct of the exercise.

Also, a senior officer in the Department of Nursing Services, Ministry of Health, Mrs Sherifat Aminu, disclosed that 360 successful candidates would be given admission.

She added that admission would be based on the quota received from the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria and the National Board on Technical Education.

She recalled that the Ogun College of Nursing had rolled out post-UTME forms online in June, with 2,094 candidates applying.

“Prospective candidates will spend four uninterrupted years with certifications in Ordinary National Diploma (OND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) in Nursing.

“They will also have Professional Certificate of Registered Nurse, Registered Midwifery and Public Health Nursing, after which they will be mobilised for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC),” she said.

In an interview, one of the candidates, Omolade Salako, said she had always wanted to be a nurse and the examination had reinforced her determination to pursue her dream.

Also, Balikis Adejimi expressed confidence in her performance and was hopeful of securing a spot in the college.