In a ceremony marked by pride, purpose, and professional commitment, 149 graduates of Community Health Extension Workers (CHEW) and Junior Community Health Extension Workers (JCHEW) from the Community Health Department of the Oyo State College of Health Sciences and Technology (OYSCOHEST) were formally inducted into the community health profession.
The colourful 3rd Induction and Oath-Taking Ceremony, conducted by the Community Health Practitioners Registration Board of Nigeria (CHPRBN), held on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, at the College Hall, revolved around the theme: “Strengthening Nigeria’s Health System Through Ethical, Competent, and Digitally Driven Community Health Practitioners.”
At the event, Governor Seyi Makinde received glowing commendations for his unwavering commitment to health education and manpower development. The Honourable Commissioner for Health, Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, praised the administration’s sustained investment in healthcare training and infrastructure, noting that such support continues to produce competent grassroots health professionals.
The newly inducted cohort comprises 103 CHEWs and 46 JCHEWs, a development widely hailed as a significant boost to primary healthcare delivery across communities.
The ceremony drew notable dignitaries from the health and education sectors, including representatives of the Commissioner for Education, Hon. Olusegun Olayiwola; the Executive Secretary of the Oyo State Primary Health Care Board, Muyideen Babatunde Olatunji; and the Chairman of the College Governing Council, Babatunde Olaniyan.
Also in attendance was the Registrar/CEO of CHPRBN, Associate Professor Bashir Idris Lifindin Jamaa, represented by Alhaji Hussein Aliu, alongside top officials from the Ministries of Health and Education.
In her welcome address, the Head of Department, Community Health, Temitope Awotunde, appreciated the Governing Council, management, and stakeholders for their continuous support. She applauded the Board for expanding the admission quota and urged the inductees to uphold ethics, professionalism, and excellence in service delivery.
Delivering her remarks, the Provost, Mrs Oyewo, described CHEWs and JCHEWs as the backbone of primary healthcare, particularly in rural and underserved communities. She noted that the institution’s rigorous training model blends theoretical knowledge, clinical skills, discipline, and ethical grounding to prepare graduates for modern healthcare challenges.
Addressing the inductees, Commissioner Ajetunmobi reiterated the Makinde administration’s dedication to quality healthcare and sound education as pillars of sustainable development. She charged the newly inducted practitioners to deploy their knowledge and digital skills for improved health outcomes across the state.
Similarly, CHPRBN’s Registrar congratulated the graduates and cautioned them to strictly adhere to professional rules and regulations guiding community health practice in Nigeria.
In his closing remarks, Governing Council Chairman Babatunde Olaniyan commended the College’s management for sustaining high academic standards and urged the inductees to be worthy ambassadors of the institution. He also called on alumni to support development initiatives as the College prepares to celebrate its 93rd anniversary on April 1, 2026.
As part of the ceremony, Health Champion Awards were presented to key stakeholders, including Commissioner Ajetunmobi, Commissioner Olayiwola, Executive Secretary Olatunji, and Council Chairman Olaniyan, in recognition of their outstanding contributions to community health advancement in Oyo State.
The induction lecture, titled “Strengthening Nigeria’s Health System through Ethical, Competent and Digitally-Driven Community Health Practitioners,” was delivered by T.A. Olusola-Jimoh, Permanent Secretary, Ibarapa Zonal Health Office and Chairperson of the Community Health Practitioners Association of Nigeria, Oyo State Chapter.
The ceremony climaxed with the oath-taking of the graduates and presentation of awards to outstanding members of the graduating class, symbolizing a new generation of ethical and digitally competent community health practitioners ready to serve at the grassroots.
