Delta Nursing Student Emerges Zonal Champion, Finishes National Runner-Up At Florence Nightingale Contest
In an era where evidence-based healthcare is shaping modern nursing practice, a student of St. Francis Catholic College of Nursing Sciences, Okpara Inland, Delta State, has brought honour to her institution and the South-South region after emerging one of the top performers at the 2026 Florence Nightingale Speech Contest.
Miss Emmanuella Aforkoghene Omosivwe, a student of the college run by the Catholic Diocese of Warri, won at the school, state and zonal stages before finishing as Overall Second at the national finals held in Abuja.
The annual Florence Nightingale Speech Contest is organised to promote excellence in nursing education, research and practice by testing students’ communication skills, evidence-based reasoning and leadership abilities.
Miss Omosivwe’s remarkable journey began at the institutional level, where she impressed judges with her depth of knowledge, clarity and articulate presentation.
Her victory qualified her to represent St. Francis Catholic College of Nursing Sciences at the Delta State competition themed “Evidence-Based Nursing Practice.”
At the state contest, contestants addressed the topic, “Advancing Nursing Excellence through Evidence-Based Practices and Compassionate Leadership,” with Miss Omosivwe emerging first, ahead of Delta State College of Nursing, Warri.
Her outstanding performance secured qualification for the South-South Zonal Speech Contest held on February 25, 2026, at the College of Medical Sciences Auditorium, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt.
Competing against eleven contestants from the six South-South states, she delivered a brilliant presentation that earned her the zonal crown and a place at the national finals.
The grand finale took place during the 18th Biennial Nursing Leaders Conference at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja.
Speaking on the topic, “Data-Driven Nursing: Using Research Evidence to Improve Patient Safety and Outcomes,” Miss Omosivwe highlighted the importance of integrating research and data analytics into clinical nursing practice.
Her presentation stood out among finalists from across Nigeria’s geopolitical zones, earning her the position of Overall Second nationally.
The achievement has been celebrated by the management of the institution as evidence of the college’s growing academic strength and commitment to excellence in nursing education.
Proprietor of the institution and Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Warri, Anthony Ovayero Ewherido, alongside the Provost, Mrs Elizabeth Oghoteru Oyibocha, commended the student’s dedication and praised the support systems that contributed to her success.
The management also appreciated the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria and its Registrar, Dr Alhassan Ndagi, for sustaining a platform that promotes nursing excellence nationwide.
Established with approval from the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria in October 2024, St. Francis Catholic College of Nursing Sciences officially commenced operations in November 2024 and currently has 288 students across its Nursing and Midwifery departments.
The institution is now calling on the Delta State Government and stakeholders in the health sector to support nursing education through funding, partnerships and recognition programmes aimed at strengthening healthcare delivery in Nigeria.
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