Don’t Abandon The System That Trained You” – Mbah Appeals To Nursing Students

Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has called on nursing students to remain in the state and contribute to the local healthcare system after graduation, in a bid to address the growing issue of brain drain in the sector.

The governor made this appeal on Thursday, April 10, during the 2024/2025 maiden matriculation ceremony of the Enugu State College of Nursing.

Speaking through the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, Mbah emphasized the significant investment the state has made in training nursing and midwifery students. He described the trend of relocating abroad, commonly referred to as the “japa syndrome,” as being at odds with the state’s goals.

“We invest heavily in your training—both in terms of infrastructure and academic support—and we expect that you will give back by serving in our healthcare facilities, not abandoning them at the first opportunity,” he said.

The governor also noted that the state is working to improve working conditions and support systems for healthcare professionals, making it easier for graduates to choose to stay.

“We are committed to more than just academic training; we want you to see your profession as a service to the community. In fact, if you look at the state budgets for 2024 and 2025, you’ll see that our largest investments are in education and health,” he added.