The Rivers State Government has dissociated itself from alleged extortion practices at the Rivers State College of Nursing Sciences and ordered a full-scale investigation into the matter.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Adaeze Chidinma Oreh, disclosed this during a press briefing in Port Harcourt, where she addressed allegations of extortion involving a department of the institution.
Dr. Oreh said the Ministry of Health has zero tolerance for corruption and will not condone any action capable of compromising the integrity of professional healthcare training.
According to her, the allegations include extortion of unauthorised payments for project topic approvals, sale of examination questions and marking schemes, and bribery for guaranteed passes in professional examinations.
“Recently, we received several allegations against a specific department in the Rivers State College of Nursing Sciences. These allegations border on extortion of unauthorised payments for project topic approvals, sale of examination questions and marking schemes, and bribery for guaranteed passes in what should be professional examinations.”
The Commissioner disclosed that the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, as well as relevant security agencies, have been formally notified of the allegations.
She announced that an independent investigative panel has been constituted to thoroughly probe the matter.
“We are not taking these allegations lightly. An independent investigative panel has been set up by the Rivers State Ministry of Health to investigate these allegations in depth.”
Dr. Oreh revealed that the panel will be chaired by Professor Chisindu Aliko, with Dr. Golda Owhonda, Dr. Vincent Machukwu, Dr. Maria Kukugo and Mrs. Sotoye Isokorare as members, while Mrs. Dema Martins-Nigu will serve as secretary.
The Commissioner further announced the suspension of all officials implicated in the allegations, pending the outcome of the investigation, and directed the Provost of the college to appoint acting replacements to ensure continuity of academic activities.
She also disclosed that a forensic audit of the Year Two second semester examinations would be conducted, alongside a comprehensive review of academic and financial practices within the institution.
Dr. Oreh assured students and members of the public that adequate protection would be provided for anyone who offers credible information to assist the panel.
“The Rivers State Ministry of Health is not tolerant of extortion in any form and will not tolerate any compromise of the integrity of professional examinations meant to equip our healthcare workforce.”
The state government assured that anyone found culpable would be sanctioned in accordance with existing laws and regulations.
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