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AHI-Nigeria hosts nurse conference
Adventist Health International-Nigeria hosted an Adventist Nurses Conference February 12 through 15, at Ile-Ife, Nigeria.
The conference, "Compassionate Nursing--Quality Care," was held on the campus of Ile-Ife Seventh-day Adventist Hospital.
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 Three people from Loma Linda University and Loma Linda University Medical Center traveled to Nigeria to present lectures at the Adventist Nurses Conference, held February 12 through 15. Pictured, from left, are Lorna Kendrick, PhD, RN, associate professor, Loma Linda University School of Nursing; Nelia A. Caan, MLS, associate professor, School of Nursing, and chair, department of technical services, Loma Linda University; and Dorothy E. Forde, MSNc, RNC, clinical educator, neonatal ICU, Loma Linda University Children's Hospital.
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Two faculty members from Loma Linda University and one employee from Loma Linda University Medical Center were on hand to present lectures for the conference.
Nelia A. Caan, MLS, associate professor, School of Nursing, and chair, department of technical services, Loma Linda University; Dorothy E. Forde, MSNc, RNC, clinical educator, neonatal ICU, Loma Linda University Children's Hospital; and Lorna Kendrick, PhD, RN, associate professor, Loma Linda University School of Nursing, represented Loma Linda University and Loma Linda University Medical Center.
Three other speakers--Reuben Fajemilehin, professor of nursing from Obafemi Awolowo University; Babatunde Oyeleye, PhD, RN, from the nursing department of Obafemi Awolowo University; and Bayo Ajibade, PhD, RN, from Ladoke Akintola University department of nursing--were chosen from the local area.
The event was sponsored by Adventist Health International in collaboration with Loma Linda University.
"It was both an honor and a privilege to be part of the delegation from Loma Linda University and the International Nursing Council," says Dorothy E. Forde, MSNc, RNC, clinical educator, neonatal ICU, Loma Linda University Children's Hospital. "The conference was such a huge success and the Nigerian nurses were very warm and welcoming to us. We left Nigeria feeling both spiritually and professionally empowered. It was humbling yet special to be part of the international emphasis of sharing God's love and our advanced nursing care in collaboration with the nurses in Africa."
Loma Linda University School of Nursing and Loma Linda University Medical Center collaborated with Adventist Health International-Nigeria for the program. The schedule for the conference was planned by LLU School of Nursing, Ile-Ife Adventist Hospital, and Ile-Ife School of Nursing.
When planning began for the program, organizers estimated that 50 nurses would be present. However, more than 75 nurses and nursing students attended the conference.
"Our appreciation goes to God for making the conference a big success," says Chief Samson B. Popoola, conference coordinator. "We also specially thank the AHI-Global president for supplying the funds and the logistics for the conference."
The conference began with an opening ceremony on February 12, 2007. Present at the opening ceremony were Pastor Joseph Ola, president, North-Western Nigeria Union Mission of Seventh-day Adventist Church; Professor James Kayode Makinde, vice chancellor, Babcock University; K. O. Koyejo, deputy registrar, Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria; and Lawrence Odunewu, director of nursing, Osun State, Nigeria.
Pastor Ola welcomed all participants to the conference, while the vice chancellor for Babcock University gave the keynote Address.
The deputy registrar for the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria gave her address and also declared the workshop open.
The conference went into session after the opening ceremony.
"The Loma Linda resource persons brought gifts, excellent ideas, and international skills into the conference right from day one until the last day," says Mr. Papoola.
Participants were supplied with handouts for all presentations and a CD with Power Point and videos including contact information for presenters were also made available to the participants.
Conference participants were issued attendance certificates by Akin Obisanya, MD, executive director, AHI-Nigeria, while the conference was officially declared closed by Pastor Ezekiel Oyinloye, health and temperance director for North-Western Nigeria Union Mission.
"Thank you for exposing the nurses to international nursing standard," says Adenike Olaogun, PhD, RN, post-graduate program coordinator, department of nursing science, Obafemi Awolowo University. "I wish and hope there will be continuity in this type of continuing education embedded with spiritual touch."
As a result of the conference, the nursing department of Obafemi Awolowo University requested that persons from Loma Linda University should visit and have a short meeting with their faculty members. According to Dr. Olaogun, this meeting brought hope of collaboration and strengthened the relationship between Obafemi Awolowo University, Loma Linda University, Ile-Ife Seventh-day Adventist Hospital, and AHI-Nigeria.
"We recognize and appreciate our friends from LLU who donated materials and books to us for the nursing department and the conference," says Mr. Papoola. "May God's will be done in your lives."
06/22/07
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