From Maurice Okafor,Enugu
The story of Peaceland college of health technology, a private university in Enugu state is unique in the sense that it is purely established to produce the requisite manpower to curb the lack in the nation’s health sector by a swiss on missionary services to Nigeria.
The university which is originally located within Enugu metropolis,along Mkpokiti road,Independence layout Enugu,is expanding to it’s permanent site at Onuogba Nike,along Abakaliki road,Emene Enugu.
The Chairman,governing board of the institution,Rev.Fr.Professor Leonard Ilechukwu, said the management has untiring ambition to fulfil the dreams and expectations of the founder of the university,Mama Pia, from Switzerland.
According to him,Mama Pia,who was on a missionary work to Nigeria,found out the huge deficit in Nigeria’s health sector,both the poor state of health facilities and the desired manpower to work in Nigeria’s hospitals and voluntered to render her humanitarian services in that aspect.
Towards this direction,She initiated the idea of establishing a university in Nigeria that will train health workers of different categories.Rv Professor Ilechukwu disclosed that Mama Pia spent all her life savings,sold her fsmily home in Switzerland and lived in old Peoples’ home until her death,just to ensure her dream of Peaceland college of health technology in Nigeria is realised.
Speaking at the maiden matriculation ceremony of the college,held on May 15, at Onuogba Nike permanent site, Rv Fr Prof Ilechukwu said though Mama Pia,who was the founder and funder of the institution died in 2012, the management of the institution is leaving no stone unturned in advancing the cause of the college,a prove of which is the estanlishment and construction of structures at the petmanent site.
He disclosed that the college is currently running eight departments churning out Community health extension workers(CHEW and CHEW J),Mefical laboratory technicians,Pharmacy technicians,Environmental health technicians and Radiography technicians.
Others include Public health department,Epidermiology and disease control department and health information management department.
He expressed optimism that the profucts of the college will fit into oversaturated ,labour market in Nigeria because their areas of specialisation are needed while the school authorities are committing much efforts to impact knowledge and morals on the students,even as the college is missionary in outlook.
He said the management is working tirelessly to be accredited by the board of technical education and for the graduates to participate on National Youth Service Corps(NYSC).
His words,”Our application is currently with National board for technical education,seeking to graduate our college to Monotechnic.This will enable the college to award National diploma(ND) and Higher national diploma(HND) degrees in health sciences.
Rv Fr Prof Iloeje pleaded for support from both the federal govsrnment,Enugu state government, private organisations and public spirited individuals to help the school in furthering the cause of curtailing challenges in Nigeria’s health sector by providing trained manpower,who walks the talks.
Over four hundred students of the college ranging from 2018/2019 sesdion, 2019/2020,2020/2021 and the current session participated in the maiden joint matriculation ceremony of the college,which took place at Onuogba Nike,permanent site of the institution on May 15.
