Mrs Nancy Dabadoi Fatoki is one woman who has excelled in the noble profession of nursing. She is a thorough-bred professional and a firm believer in neatness of character and appearance. She has played a significant role in the establishment of several nursing institutions across Rivers and Bayelsa States. A seasoned nursing educator, she now lecturers in the School of Post Basic Paediatric Nursing of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt.
Born on June 10, 1957 to the family of the late Mr. Prior Aprekuma of Nembe Town in Nembe Local Government Area of Balyelsa State, she attended the Roman Catholic Mission School, Lokoja, Township School, Moscow Road, Port Harcourt and the Archdeacon Crowther Memorial Girls School, Elelenwa, Rivers State. Afterwards, she worked briefly as a clerk between 1976 and 1977.
She trained for six years (1978-1984) in several distinguished institutions before she qualified as a Staff Nurse/Midwife. Having worked briefly at Isiokpo, under the Rivers State Health Management Board, she helped in the establishment of several mobile clinics for the benefit of the teeming farmers in the rural areas. This was in line with the “School to Land” policy of the then Rivers State Governor, Mr Fidelis Oyakhilome. The project which was launched in 1986 involved teaching farmers and inhabitants of the rural areas lessons on healthy living and personal hygiene
Mrs Fatoki was employed at the University of Port Harcourt in 1988. She was then involved in teaching courses in clinical nursing. However, she took time off to study and by 1997, earned a Diploma in Opthalmic Nursing and Management from the University of Benin . She also bagged a Diploma in Nursing Education as well as a Certificate in Family Planning from the Federal Training Centre for Teachers of Health Science at the University College Hospital, Ibadan. This illustrious daughter of Nigeria holds a B.Sc. in Human Kinetics, Safety and Education. She bagged a Masters degree in Educational Policy and Administration from the University of Port Harcourt in 2005.
In 1998, she was invited home by the Government of Bayelsa State, to help in the setting up of structures for the establishment of schools of nursing and midwifery across the young state. She has remained an adjunct lecturer and examiner in these institutions to date.
She is also a lecturer and an internal examiner at the School of Nursing, Port Harcourt. She also played a pioneering role in the establishment of the School of Post Basic Paediatric Nursing at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital. She is also an examiner to the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria.
Mrs Nancy Fatoki is the Vice Chairman of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital branch of the Forum of Federal Health Institution Nurses and Midwives .. She is an active member of the Rivers State chapter of the National Ophthalmic Nurses Association, a body which organizes periodic free eye checks and treatment for residents of the state. As an influential member of Ogbosuomu Pagaebi Social Club of Nembe, she has advocated for the establishment of craft centers and schools to encourage the education of women in the area.
It was in recognition of her contribution to national development in the field of nursing that she was conferred with the Woman of Merit Gold Award in 2012 by PSR Magazine.She is married to Mr. Fatoki who is an indigene of Oyo State and their marriage is blessed with seven children.