By Dennis Naku
The Rivers State Government has ordered a full-scale investigation into allegations of extortion, including money-for-marks and the sale of examination papers, at the Rivers State College of Nursing Sciences in Port Harcourt, the state capital.
Already, the government has suspended the head of one of the departments linked to the alleged offences, although the exact department was not disclosed.
The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Adaeze Oreh, disclosed this while speaking to newsmen in Port Harcourt on Monday.
She said a committee chaired by the Chief Medical Director of the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt, had been set up to thoroughly investigate the allegations.
Oreh said the action followed a series of complaints and allegations against the college, which also included demands for payment for the approval of project topics by students.
She stated that her ministry, and by extension the state government, had zero tolerance for corruption in any form.
The commissioner said, “I’m speaking to you at the start of the New Year on a somewhat unpleasant note. However, this briefing is to demonstrate the firm position of the Rivers State Ministry of Health and indeed the Rivers State Government on zero tolerance for corruption in any shape or form.
“Recently, we received several allegations against the Rivers State College of Nursing Sciences, a specific department in that college. These allegations border on the extortion of unauthorised payments for project topic approvals, the sale of examination questions and marking schemes, and bribery for guaranteed passes in what should be professional examinations.
“As the Rivers State Ministry of Health was notified of these allegations, the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria and security agencies were also notified.
“We are not taking these allegations lightly and are formally informing the public that an investigative panel has been constituted by the Rivers State Ministry of Health to thoroughly probe the matter.
“The investigation panel will comprise the chairman, Prof Chizindu Alikor, and members, Dr Golden Ohonda, Dr Vincent Wachukwu, Dr Mariah Kukurubo and Mrs Sotonye Isokariari, with Mrs Deima Martins-Wigbo as secretary.
“They will be charged with the responsibility of independently investigating all allegations that have been made against this department within the Rivers State College of Nursing Sciences.
“Furthermore, I hereby announce the suspension of the implicated official. The provost of the College of Nursing Sciences has been informed and an acting head of department will be appointed in her stead.
“There will be a full forensic audit of the recent Year Two, second-semester examinations, and protection will be provided for all students who come forward to support the investigative panel as it conducts its work.”
She added that there would also be a comprehensive review of academic and financial practices within the institution.
The commissioner said the ministry would not tolerate extortion in any form or compromise the integrity of professional examinations meant to equip the healthcare workforce with the skills needed to safeguard public health.
She said the probe was necessary to ensure that all guilty parties were made to account for their actions and brought to book.
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