OYSCOHEST CHEW and JCHEW graduates inducted by the Community Health Practitioners Registration Board of Nigeria, GSM commended.*

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The 3rd Induction and Oath-Taking Ceremony for the 2025 Community Health Extension Workers (CHEW) and Junior Community Health Extension Workers (JCHEW) graduates of the Community Health Department of the Oyo State College of Health Sciences and Technology,  Eleyele, Ibadan, was held on Tuesday, February 10,  2026, with the theme “Strengthening Nigeria’s Health System Through Ethical, Competent, and Digitally Driven Community Health Practitioners.”

The induction, conducted by the Community Health Practitioners Registration Board of Nigeria (CHPRBN), took place at the College Hall.

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State was commended for his sustained commitment to health education and manpower development by the  Honourable Commissioner for Health, Dr Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi during the induction of 149 graduates of the College, into the community health profession.

 

The newly inducted professionals comprise 103 Community Health Extension Workers (CHEWs) and 46 Junior Community Health Extension Workers (JCHEWs). The event attracted dignitaries from within and outside Oyo State.

Notable personalities at the ceremony included the Oyo State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, who was accompanied by Dr. Adekunle Aremu, Director of Health Planning, Research and Statistics (DHPRS); Dr. Babalola Johnson, Director, Secondary Health Care and Training (DSHCT); and Mrs. Modupe Taiwo, Media Officer. Also present was the representative of the Honourable Commissioner for Education, Hon. Olusegun Olayiwola,  the Director of Curriculum Development in the Ministry, Mrs Akindele,  the Registrar of the Community Health Practitioners Registration Board of Nigeria, Associate Professor Bashir Idris Lifindin Jamaa, represented by Alhaji Hussein Aliu; the Executive Secretary, Oyo State Primary Health Care Board, Dr. Muyideen Babatunde Olatunji; and the Chairman, OYSCOHEST Governing Council, Right Honourable Babatunde Olaniyan.

In her welcome address, the Head of Department, Community Health,  Mrs. Temitope Awotunde, appreciated the Governing Council, management, staff, and stakeholders for their continuous support towards the development of the department. She also commended the Oyo State Government for providing an enabling environment for effective teaching and learning.

Mrs. Awotunde further lauded the Community Health Practitioners Registration Board of Nigeria for increasing the students' admission quota.   She charged the inductees to uphold professional ethics and serve as worthy ambassadors of the College.

In her address, the Provost, Mrs. Oyewo, described CHEWs and JCHEWs as the backbone of primary healthcare delivery, particularly at the grassroots level, noting that they serve as a critical link between healthcare institutions and communities. She explained that the training received by the graduates was carefully structured to equip them with sound theoretical knowledge, practical clinical skills, professional discipline, and strong ethical values required for modern community health practice.

She also appreciated Governor Seyi Makinde for his special interest in the College, particularly through financial and logistics support, which has helped to sustain a conducive academic environment. She equally acknowledged the leadership of the Governing Council Chairman, Hon. Babatunde Olaniyan, and other members of the Governing Council, for their commitment to the advancement of the institution.

Speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Ajetunmobi, reaffirmed the commitment of the Makinde administration to quality healthcare delivery and sound education as critical drivers of sustainable development. She commended the College’s Governing Council, management, and staff for maintaining high academic standards and urged the newly inducted professionals to apply their training for the benefit of society.

Also speaking, the Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of CHPRBN, Associate Professor Bashir Idris Lifindin Jamaa, congratulated the graduates and advised them to strictly adhere to the rules and regulations guiding the profession.

In his closing remarks, the Chairman of the Governing Council, Hon. Babatunde Olaniyan, commended the management for sustaining the academic standards of the College and appreciated Governor Makinde for his unwavering support. He urged the inductees to be good ambassadors of the institution and to practice within established professional guidelines.

Hon. Olaniyan also called on the College Alumni to initiate development projects in support of the institution as it prepares to celebrate its 93rd anniversary on April 1, 2026.

As part of the ceremony, Health Champion Awards were presented to the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi; the Honourable Commissioner for Education, Hon. Olusegun Olayiwola, the Executive Secretary, Oyo State Primary Health Care Board, Dr. Muyideen Babatunde Olatunji; and the Chairman of the College Governing Council, Right Honourable Babatunde Olaniyan, in recognition of their outstanding contributions to strengthening community health services and advancing healthcare delivery in Oyo State.

Highlights of the ceremony also included the presentation of awards to  outstanding members of the graduating class.

The induction lecture titled “Strengthening Nigeria’s Health System through Ethical, Competent and Digitally-Driven Community Health Practitioners” was delivered by Mrs T.A. Olusola-Jimoh,  Permanent Secretary, Ibarapa Zonal Health Office and Chairperson, Community Health Practitioners Association of Nigeria, Oyo State Chapter.