The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Climate change exacerbates malnutrition, food crisis

    Climate change exacerbates malnutrition, food crisis

    Stakeholders in the health sector have called for a multi-sectoral approach to address the growing challenge of climate change, particularly how it affects the food crisis and nutrition across the country.

    They stressed that if nothing urgent is done to address the negative consequences of climate change, more Nigerians could become victims of malnutrition, undernutrition, obesity, among others.

    The Managing Director of Nigeria Health Watch (NHW), Vivianne Ihekweazu, who spoke during a nutrition policy dialogue organised by the organisation said climate change could potentially hinder the country’s progress in achieving zero hunger and health for all, in line with the 2030 target of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations.

    She said: “We are aware of the impact of climate change, and its impact on health and wellbeing, and nutrition outcomes, especially for children. Hence, we must work collaboratively to tackle this rising menace head-on.

    Read Also: Strengthening Africa’s capacity to address climate change impacts

    “The nexus between climate change and nutrition is a formidable reality and hampers our ability to provide sustainable food, which affects our children’s access to nutritious diet. It also leads to inflation, as it destroys farm produce and livestock.

    “Stakeholders, including the government at the national and sub-national levels, private sector, farmers, and others play a very important role in shaping the trajectory of the nation’s climate and food security.”

    In his remarks, the Director and Head of Prevention and Control of Micronutrient Deficiency, Federal Ministry of Health, Chief Uruakpa John, said: “The government must ensure nutrition is addressed in climate resilient development and national climate change processes, plans and programmes.

    “We must also Increase policy coherence and multidisciplinary collaboration at local, regional, national and international levels to enhance food chain sustainability and local access to adequate nutrition, while promoting the rights of the vulnerable people to essential livelihood resources, including land rights and access to or protection of fishing grounds.”

    In her remarks, UNICEF Chief of WASH, Dr. Jane Bevan, said: “If people are made more aware about the issues of climate change, and know how it affects them and their communities, then they will work towards that and demand from the government that more is done about it.

    “We also need to sensitize the local governments about the issues of climate change. While there is a need for investment, we need more advocacy.”

  • Agent: Hurdles stalling recovery of Canadian aircraft will hurt Nigeria

    Agent: Hurdles stalling recovery of Canadian aircraft will hurt Nigeria

    Agents engaged by a Canadian leasing company – Alberta Aviation Capital Corporation (AAC),  to tear down a CRJ 1000 aircraft in the fleet of Arik Air – Merchant Express Cargo Limited, have raised the alarm over efforts to frustrate its  assignment.

    Any move intended to frustrate the assignment , the agents said will not only  harm the Nigerian  aviation industry, but ,  could increase leases and insurance costs for future aircraft leasing for Nigerian operators.

    Besides, they said the action is contrary to the Cape Town treaty signed by the Nigerian government to protect the assets of foreign investors.

    Merchant Express Cargo Limited said it was jointly engaged with Captain Samuel Caulcrik by AAC to carry out a tear down of the airplane with Manufacturers Serial Number 19037 by the new owners of the equipment after the cancellation of the lease agreement with Arik Air.

    In a statement signed by Merchant Express Cargo Limited, Chief Executive Officer, Captain Shina Akinfenwa, the agent noted that it was carrying out the brief handled it by the new owners of the CRJ 1000 , following   substantial and continued defaults in making outstanding payment payments to the aircraft lessor- JEM by Arik Air.

    Akinfenwa said statements credited to the founder of Arik Air – Sir Arumemi Johnson that the agents were carrying out a fraudulent activity  has no substance.

    He said such reports by Arumemi and his counsel is misplaced as the agents were legally carrying out the instructions of the client .

    The statement reads : ” The defaults in Arik Air’s obligations led to the de-registration of the aircraft by the NCAA from the NCAA’s registry, July 22, 2022 – consent by the lien holder – the Export Development Canada (EDC), and ownership reverted to EDC the mortgagee. The aircraft currently has a Canadian registry allocation.

    “We categorically state that Capt Caulcrick was an authorized Agent of the new Canadian owners (AAC) of the aircraft and the process for the recovery of the aircraft followed all due process, all of which are properly documented.

    “Until contracted on the teardown project, neither Merchant Express nor Capt Caulcrick had anything to do with the cancelled lease or the de-registration of the aircraft by the NCAA.

    “We condemn in its entirety the efforts by the founder of Arik Air, Sir Arumem-Johnson, whose airline is under receivership and his lawyers, to use the EFCC and some sections of the press to intimidate the authorized Agents of the legal owners of aircraft (AAC) in an effort to stop the owners from taking their aircraft in whatever form they choose back to Canada.

    “Capt Caulcrick is an outstanding Aviator that has worked all his life to protect the integrity and preserve the sanctity of the Aviation Industry in Nigeria and everywhere else – a dedicated aviator.

    “The effort to malign his person can only be the handwork of those that know they do not have any legal rights over the aircraft; otherwise, they would have approached the courts for an injunction to stop the teardown.

    “Using  EFCC  not the tactics of those with legal rights. It only will harm the aviation industry, which could increase leases and insurance costs for future aircraft leasing for Nigerian operators in the future, while the action is contrary to the Cape Town treaty signed by the Nigerian government to protect the assets of foreign investors.

    “We are grateful that the Canadian government is escalating the matter at the diplomatic level to preserve their interest.”

  • Norway okays fresh $4.5m for food security, others in Nigeria

    Norway okays fresh $4.5m for food security, others in Nigeria

    The Government of Norway has provided an additional funding of $4.5 million in support of the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), humanitarian efforts in addressing the crisis in the northeast through resilience building of livelihoods of the affected populations.

    The funding support is targeted at implementing an existing project aimed at scaling-up food security, nutrition and sustainable livelihoods in Borno, Adamawa, Yobe and Taraba States.

    The FAO Representative in Nigeria and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Fred Kafeero, who spoke during the signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) ceremony between the UN body and the Norwegian Government in Abuja, noted that the support from the government of Norway has amounted to $24 million since the beginning of the crisis.

    Kafeero added that the support has reached over 1,19877 conflict affected people at present and still counting.

    According to him, since 2017, the Government of Norway through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has been generously contributing to rebuilding the lives and livelihoods of the most vulnerable communities in Northeast Nigeria that are affected by the now over a decade-long conflict. 

    For the 2023 Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP), Kafeero noted that FAO, being a key provider of livelihood support in the food security sector, has set a target of reaching two million people.

    He added that currently, only 56,000 individuals have been reached.

    He said: “Moreover, an analysis of the funding trends reveals that only 3.4 out of 100 units of total funding allocated to the food security sector are directed towards livelihood interventions.

    “In this regard, this addendum for a complementary fund for 2023 is deemed more than important, not only because it marks the continuous and fruitful collaboration, and partnership that exists between the Government of Norway and FAO in Nigeria but also because it will contribute to filling the livelihoods funding gap for the 2023 lean season.

    “While the funding is contributing towards improving food security in the NE, the gap is still huge in meeting the needs of 3.7 million people who need livelihood assistance.

    Earlier, the Ambassador of the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Nigeria, Knut Eiliv Lein, said the $4.5 million additional funding commitment made by the government is aimed at supporting agriculture and people impacted by the conflict.

    “We had a three-year programme with the FAO that we renewed another three years last year and we increased funding to four and half million dollars,” Lein said.

  • President Tinubu gets kudos for leadership strength, courage

    President Tinubu gets kudos for leadership strength, courage

    G36 Bola Ahmed Tinubu Renewed Hope Support Group Council has scored President Bola Tinubu high, saying he has real understanding of what leadership entails.

    The group maintained if former presidents had shown leadership courage from the first day in office like Tinubu has done in a few days, the country would have moved forward.

    Convener, Samson Bilesanmi, at a news conference in Lagos, said Nigerians could testify of Tinubu’s readiness for governance.

    Bilesanmi said: “All eyes have seen the courage of Tinubu and his readiness to govern. He has done well in  23 days. He has acted like a ready-for-combat soldier, he came prepared.

    “If past leaders have acted like Tinubu has led us in the last 23 days, Nigeria would have been better. Tinubu has been acting courageously to put the nation on the path of sustainable growth.

    “Nigerians have been seeing change. The renewed hope he promised is happening,  from removal of oil subsidy, loan for students and more the government has done in few days.”

    He noted the group was founded to propagate the ideals, project principles of the President and agitate for reward for support groups which worked for Tinubu during the primaries, election and his success.

    The convener said APC support groups believed in Tinubu’s philosophy of rewarding loyalty and work for his cause, “that is what propelled us to throw our caps into the ring by supporting your cause maximally”.

  • Club gets exco, hails Fashola

    Club gets exco, hails Fashola

    Eko Club has inaugurated executives to pilot its affairs in the next three years.

       Olugbenga Amodu hailed members for  choosing him as the 22nd president of the club. ““He recalled the journey 22 years ago when he used to follow his dad, Alhaji Muritala Amodu to the club. .’’

       Amodu recalled the lofty thoughts of the founding fathers, a group of childhood friends who, on return from abroad, continued to share a vision that birthed the club 49 years ago at Alhaji Sikiru Agoro a.k.a. Father’s shop at Williams Street, Lagos Island.

      ‘’My dedication and love for the club had continued to inflame my desire to serve in  in four positions as welfare officer, general secretary, vice president and now president”, he said.

      Amodu noted he had been privileged to work with vibrant, dedicated and brilliant young minds, who ensured a smooth running of affairs.

      The president greeted former Minister of Works & Housing, Babatunde Fashola, who received the club’s double honours, saying he was a worthy ambassadorof the  club.

       He thanked the club on behalf of Fashola’s family for the  recognition and wished every member happy celebration.      

  • Edo Central senator voted for Akpabio as Senate president, says APC chief

    Edo Central senator voted for Akpabio as Senate president, says APC chief

    Chieftain of All Progressives Congress (APC), Tony Ikpasaja, yesteray said the senator representing Edo Central on the platform of the party, Monday Okpebholo, voted for  Godswill Akpabio due to his credible character.

    Ikpasaja, reacting to reports  the senator voted for Sen. Abdullaziz Yari, and not Akpabio, described the speculation as mischief by desperate politicians to pull the senator down.

    Ikpasaja, former aide to the late Chief Tony Anenih, in an interview with reporters,  described the masterminds of the report as “purveyors of fake news.

    Describing the speculation as another mischief, Ikpasaja said President Bola Tinubu, Godswill Akpabio, former Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole and other party leaders were convinced Okpebholo voted for the candidate of the party because of his credible character.

    According to him, there were incontrovertible evidence Okpebholo voted for Akpabio in the National Assembly election to choose the Senate  president.

    “We have concrete evidence to show Okpebholo voted for Akpabio despite the fact that they doctored a list which they have been spreading on social media to discredit him.

    “This is dangerous for our politics. They see the young senator as a threat to their ambition even when he has not indicated interest to contest for governorship in 2024″, he said.

    Calling on Nigerians to support the leadership style of President Tinubu for justice, fairness and equity in the distribution of political offices, Ikpasaja urged stakeholders in Edo State to emulate that spirit of inclusivity by allowing power shift to Edo Central in 2024 to foster peaceful co-existence.

  • Ferry services ease traffic, provides transport options for commuters

    Ferry services ease traffic, provides transport options for commuters

    Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has launched a ferry route from Badagry to Marina.

    AbdulBaq Balogun, managing director of Lagos State Ferry Service (LAGFERRY), spoke at a meeting heralding the launch of the terminal.

    Balogun said the agency has commenced operation from Badary to Liverpool in Apapa and CMS/Marina in the morning and CMS/Marina to Liverpool to Badagry in the evening.

    This, he said, would ease congestion on Badagry Expressway following reconstruction and rehabilitation of the road.

    According to him, the state is committed to improving water transportation to ease traffic by procuring modern boats, rehabilitating and constructing jetties, opening routes, and providing hi-tech safety equipment.

     “Today is a milestone in our journey to foster sustainable and efficient transportation in Badagry axis,” he said.

    Represented by Director of Admin and Human Resources, Bunmi Mofunlewi, Balogun said LAGFERRY will operate the terminal/jetties to transport passengers from Badagry to Liverpool to CMS/Marina in the morning,and in the evening will return them to Badagry.

    “The commencement of operation is a testament to our commitment to providing convenient and eco-friendly options to traditional means of travel,” he said.

     “The ease of access reduced travel time, and increased mobility options will contribute to catalysing growth and attracting investment,” he said.

    He said the terminal will be served as a hub for tourism and recreation to boost the economy and give visitors an  experience of the beauty of our waterways.

    Balogun, assuring passengers that safety is guaranteed at LAGFERRY, said: “All our passengers are insured, our captains are professionals and trained. We provide life jackets to our passengers and they can win cash by buying tickets through collaboration with Eko Token….”

    Hundogan Samuel,Agoloto of Badagry, hailed the state for the jetty, adding indigenes should be part of those employed to drive the initiative.

  • ‘Protect local energy/health drink firms’

    ‘Protect local energy/health drink firms’

    Producers of energy drinks have urged the Federal Government to protect new industries from foreign competition, and save direct employment of over 2,000  and their dependent.

    They said they have capacity to produce enough drinks, urging the Federal Government to safeguard health of Nigerians from compromised formulation of imported energy and health drinks.

    According to them, most imported energy or health drinks could not withstand Nigeria’s temperature on storage, and they often bursted and constituted risk in the market.

    Director-Genera of Africa Brands Group, Ayodele Joseph, said: “There is need to prevent dumping of cheap foreign goods in Nigeria.

    “Banning importation of energy or health drinks will lead to more investment in local production, higher capacity utilisation, and boost export drive.

    “We need to stem the tide of companies relocating due to the hostile environment. Nigeria needs to protect the high investment and employment in associated  as can and corrugated cartons industry.”

    The local producers sought actions to prevent collapse of over $500 million investments in  production of these drinks.

    “We request addition of energy or health drinks to Nigeria import prohibition list,” it said.

    It noted unexpected decline in local manufacture of energy drinks was affecting investment in associated industries.

    “Our reserves need to be preserved for essential imports. From the last review of import prohibition list, over 10 brands have invested in local production of energy or health drinks. As of date, investment is over $500m.”

  • Setting a new benchmark in education standard

    Setting a new benchmark in education standard

    Many have decried the country’s deteriorating education standard – a crisis traceable to many factors, including poor funding and lack of planning or bad implementation of plans. But the situation appears to be changing in Nasarawa State where renewed zeal on the part of the state government is gradually changing the fortune of the state’s education status. LINUS OOTA reports

    The deteriorating quality of education in Nigeria is known to everyone. But this appears unacceptable in Nasarawa State where the state government has put forth some modest interventions in the education sector.

     In the last four years, education sector has experienced a major improvement in terms of improved funding for schools, supply of modern learning facilities and renovation of schools. On assumption of office in 2019, Governor Abdullahi Sule, in his declaration speech, emphasised his determination to reposition the education sector. “Not only would there be the provision of facilities or an atmosphere that is conducive to teaching and learning, but there must be qualified teachers that would mean our schools which are in dire need of teachers to fill in the deficit of staff,” he said.

     With the firm belief that education is not only the best legacy to bequeath to the children, but one of the strongest tools to end poverty and hunger, the state government has vowed to always invest heavily in education at all levels and also provide an enabling environment for private operators to thrive and make the system an all-inclusive one. To this end, the state government constituted a committee that is saddled with the responsibility of conducting a baseline survey of all primary and secondary schools.

     The Prof Mohammed Isa Kida-led committee did what many described as a thorough job and presented a report which revealed some of the immediate, short and long-term requirements of the state’s 1, 391 primary schools and 419 secondary schools made up of 19 junior secondary schools and 320 senior secondary schools out of which 29 are boarding. Specifically, the committee said about 90 per cent of the schools are comatose.

     Disturbed by this damning report, Governor Sule declared a state of emergency in public schools and extended an invitation to philanthropists and other public-spirited individuals to collaborate with the state government in addressing the rot in the education sector. The state government then articulated a development agenda in which basic education was given special attention in view of its critical role in societal growth and development. The state government drafted an Education Development Plan (EDP) geared towards providing a fertile ground for the administration to establish its vision and mission in turning around the education sector.

     Four years down the line, the state has achieved what many other states can only dream of, especially in the basic education sub-sector. In pursuit of his avowed commitment to the provision of an improved learning environment to boost basic education, Governor Sule approved and released the state matching grant to access the Universal Basic Education (UBE) intervention funds from 2019 to date.

     Determined to reposition primary education, considering the fact that it remains the bedrock upon which the secondary and tertiary levels stand, the state government ensured that the sector is accorded top priority. To this end, the state ensures prompt payment of counterpart funds to enable the state to access the Universal Basic Education funds. The state government released 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 counterpart funds and hence has the needed funding from the Universal Basic Education Commission to embark on massive construction, renovations, remodelling and building of more classrooms and provision of instructional materials.

     In the circumstances, the state government has made some giant leaps, including the fact that 62 projects were completed, 197 classrooms built and no less than four perimeter fences constructed in primary schools using the 2016 UBE intervention fund (3rd and 4th quarter).

     Furthermore, the 2017 UBE intervention fund was also used to construct no fewer than 222 projects, all of which have been completed, with no less than 553 classrooms provided, 14 perimeter fences constructed, 36 toilets built, 50 hand-pump boreholes provided to consolidate the fight against open defecation and to strengthen hygiene. Additionally, 1,200 units of furniture comprising metal and wood were provided to ease learning for the pupils.

     The 2018 UBE intervention fund was judiciously utilised as 153 projects were completed with 542 classrooms provided, in addition to 60 toilets and 18 hand-pump boreholes sunk and 50 perimeter fences constructed with 16,000 units of furniture provided. The state government used the 2019 UBE intervention fund to provide 342 projects, 780 classrooms, 52 toilets, 25 boreholes, and 10,000 units of furniture provided. Expectedly, the 2020, 2021 and 2022 UBE intervention funds were judiciously used to consolidate on its determination to provide basic infrastructures across its schools.

     During the past four years (2019-2023), the state has remained committed to boosting education through improved budgetary allocation to the sector. In 2020, the state budgeted N26.3 billion for education. The amount was increased to N35.4 billion in 2021, while in the 2022 budget, the administration earmarked N31. 9 billion for the sector. In the 2023 budget, the state government had to jerk up the budgetary allocation for the education sector to N37. 43 billion. Adequate provisions were made for the training and retraining of teachers; just as the state has continued to collaborate with other development partners such as the Global Partnership on Education (GPE) that are working to advance education in the state.

     In the past four years, about 1,876 teachers have been trained in digital literacy. Apart from manpower development, the government has been making a mark in the area of aggressive renovation of and provision of teaching and learning materials. The evidence of the key interventions is found in the renovation of many primary and secondary schools, payments of scholarship allowances, the release of huge sums of money for boarding school feeding programs, promotion of over 10,000 teachers and engage over 5,000 teachers.

     There is also a renewed focus on renovations, expansion and provision of tools and other equipment to technical colleges in the state as demonstrated by the utilisation of the UBE intervention funds and the state budgetary allocation to the education sector. It is also on record that the state government is collaborating with UNICEF on a back-to-school initiative, a special project for which the pilot phase is being implemented in 370 primary schools in Lafia and Nasarawa local government areas. There is also an emphasis on training and retraining of teachers as exemplified by the frequent capacity-building workshops, some of which were done in collaboration with development partners.

     “In our commitment to provide an environment conducive to teaching and learning, our administration sustained the payment of counterpart funds to UBEC, which facilitated the construction of more classroom blocks, rehabilitation and equipping of primary and junior secondary schools in the state. In furtherance to the administration’s belief in education as the transformative tool of the individual and overall societal development, the government formalised the appointments of the 2,250 engaged teachers, while over 3,000 teaching and non-teaching members of staff were recruited for secondary and tertiary institutions.

    “The screening exercise for the recruitment of another batch of the 1,000 teachers is ongoing. Our efforts and investments have culminated in providing an environment conducive to teaching and learning, including infrastructure, improved conditions of service and industrial peace for all our tertiary institutions to provide quality education to all students. The state government has done its best within the past four years to strengthen all tertiary institutions in the state to continue to deliver on its mandates. Education remains crucial to prosperity from generation to generation,” the governor said recently.

    The state government said evidence has shown that all these efforts have yielded tremendous results using improvement in the performance of public school students in the state in WASSCE from less than 45 per cent to 85 per cent within the past four years of his administration and also its zero target projects on out-of-school-children, and good welfare package for teachers, among others as yardsticks. The ultimate goal of the administration is to ensure that all students in Nasarawa State received a quality education in an environment conducive to teaching and learning.

     In order to ensure academic activities at the Nasarawa State University are not brought to a halt due to strike actions as a result of non-payment of salaries, the state government has taken over the responsibility of paying the salaries of members of staff of the university. To improve the availability of technical and medical manpower in the state, the government has approved the establishment of two faculties at the state university in Keffi: the faculty of engineering and the faculty of medical sciences. The administration equally donated N20 million to facilitate the eventual take-off of the faculty of engineering of the Nasarawa State University in the 2020/2021 academic session.

    The government said that the establishment of the faculties of health sciences and engineering would assist in providing the needed manpower to develop the state in those vital areas. Other interventions in the education sector include payment of bursary allowances to students, and the upgrade of the College of Agriculture Lafia to the College of Agriculture, Science and Technology. During the period under review, a lot of students of Nasarawa origin were awarded scholarships to study at the Zaria Academy, while others were to study for higher education at the International University of Africa, Sudan.

     The immediate past commissioner for education in Nasarawa State (2019-2023), Hajia Fati Sabo, said that the number one service on the priority list of the state government is to render to the people the provision of a quality and value-driven education system. She said that the state government, in the past four years, strongly believed that making the education sector the number one priority, adding that the education sector has been repositioned not only to be about learning outcomes where students strive just to pass examinations, but how to prepare them well with the right knowledge and skills that will enable them to overcome the odds and make a great impact even before graduation.

     “The administration has demonstrated commitment to fulfilling the promises with such indices as yearly increase in budgetary allocation; completion of outstanding projects to the highest possible standards; investing in new schools; construction of new school buildings and upgrade of existing ones; and integrating technology into teaching and learning processes. The massive human and capital infrastructural development embarked upon by the administration could not be glossed over. The governor’s passion in the education sector is visible and can be seen also by the expansion of the state University in Keffi. I’m glad you know that the governor is working in the education sector as well.

    “Apart from the transformational innovation, the administration has also prioritised teachers’ welfare by improving their welfare. With the priority the Governor has given the education sector in his first tenure, there is no gainsaying that the governor would do more in his second term so that Nasarawa State becomes the best in Northern Nigeria,” she said.

  • PAMO Varsity’s 250-bed hospital to curb medical tourism, brain drain

    PAMO Varsity’s 250-bed hospital to curb medical tourism, brain drain

    It was all splendour when the founders of the first wholly-private medical university in Nigeria, PAMO University of Medical Sciences, unveiled PAMO University Hospital. The facility, a well-equipped 250-bed integrated hospital will not only provide a purpose-built multispecialty, tertiary care private hospital but will also go a long way in curbing medical tourism and brain drain. FIDEL OKORONKWO reports.

    In a bid to curtail medical tourism and brain drain which the country currently experiences, the authorities of PAMO University of Medical Sciences (PUMS) in Rivers State has inaugurated a modern well-equipped 250-bed integrated hospital known as PAMO University Hospital.

    It was all pomp and ceremony in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital when the founders of PUMS unveiled the medical facility.

     The hospital, which was inaugurated by former Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, is a purpose-built multispecialty, tertiary care private hospital. It will offer patient-care services across a range of medical and surgical specialties, aiming to deliver high-quality, and yet accessible healthcare to communities in Rivers, neighbouring states and Nigeria as a whole.

     The hospital will also provide high-quality medical treatment in the area of internal medicine, family medicine, surgery, obstetrics, gynaecology and paediatrics to individuals, families and corporate organisations.

     The founder of PAMO Educational Foundation and Pro-Chancellor of PUMS, Dr Peter Odili, and his wife Justice Mary Odili are known for their ability to draw the cream of society with any occasion.

     The unveiling attracted many eminent personalities in the public and private sectors.

    Also, in attendance, were lawyers and judges, especially former Justices of the Supreme Court. Traditional rulers and clergies were also in attendance.

     Odili’s daughter, Dr Adaeze Oreh, who is also a member of the Governing Council of PUMS, remarked that PAMO University Hospital aims at delivering medical excellence, incorporate global standards of quality service, and provide exceptional patient care through improved medical outcomes and high-quality nursing care.

    She added that the siting of the hospital is strategic, adding that it is located to provide critical, life-saving emergency medical and surgical services to victims of road traffic accidents on the interstate expressway.

     Dr Oreh also noted that as quality is fundamental to PAMO University Hospital’s healthcare mission, a robust clinical governance system would be in place to ensure continuous quality improvement and adherence to international standards for ethics and compliance.

    According to her, for over four decades, PAMO Clinics and Hospitals Group has provided quality medical and healthcare services for hundreds of thousands of Nigerians.

     She appreciated former Governor Wike for all the assistance to the university since its inception over five years ago.

     All who witnessed the inauguration of the hospital commended Dr Odili for the massive investment, saying that it would help a great deal in reducing and curbing medical tourism and brain drain.

     For instance, the Chairman of the event and former President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Umaru Abdullahi said the unveiling of the hospital signified the consolidation of the giant stride taken by PAMO University in positioning the training of topnotch medical personnel in the country.

     “The establishment of the tertiary hospital could not have come at a better time than now in the light of medical tourism and the exodus of medical practitioners out of the country,” he said.

    He, therefore, called for adequate maintenance of the facilities provided at the hospital, not just for a quick recovery but for a lasting recovery. He also urged doctors and other medical personnel at the facility to always have the welfare of their patients in mind.

     The President of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Dr Uche Ojinmah said the hospital has partly solved the problem of spaces and housing jobs which, he said have been one of the major challenges facing the sector. He expressed his hope that the medical personnel produced in the institution will not be for export.

     Ojinmah added that with the establishment of PAMO University Hospital, the number of qualified doctors in Nigeria would soar.

     The Executive Secretary of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, Dr Tajudeen Sanusi said with the kind of facility and equipment the new hospital parades, doctors would no longer have excuses to travel out of the country for lack of equipment. He said he was happy that PAMO University was able to implement the guides the council provided.

     Wike, who was the special guest of honour at the event, commended the former state governor, Dr Odili for his investment and development in the state, especially in the health sector. He also commended Odili for deploying his retirement to good use and committing himself to the service of humanity.

     He said in its five years of existence, PAMO University of Medical Sciences has been celebrated as a result of the quality of students it has groomed and the appreciable level of growth it has attained.

     “I thank Dr Peter Odili for his commitment to the development of the state. Having governed the state for eight years, he didn’t go to Abuja to stay and find a pressure group to join as a former member or former governors’ forum. He never gets tired to serve humanity.

     “PAMO University began in 2018. Today, after five years, we are here to inaugurate a Teaching Hospital of that university.

     “The commendations by the National Universities Commission (NUC), the Medical and Dental Council are impressive and noteworthy.

     “In the next 10 years, Rivers State will be a hub for exporting doctors to those states that do not have them. I am proud to be associated with this beautiful, great project,” Wike said.

     Dr Odili described Wike as the best governor Rivers State has ever produced. He named the hospital complex after the former governor, even as he commended him for the numerous support to the health sector.

     Dr Odili said the PAMO University Hospital is designed to be accessible to the poor in society and that the centre would be known for having members of staff that will treat their patients as their employers.

     He said: “This complex will be called Chief Nyesom Ezenwo Wike Complex. This will be the destination of hope and survival for sick people that will need the services here. This centre will be known for having members of staff that will treat their patients as their employers. “Without patients, doctors and nurses have no work. So, every patient, no matter how poor, will be treated as an employer with compassion, dignity and respect. Poverty will not hinder access to the centre.

     “For the members of staff, this will be the most attractive place to go and look for work. The environment will provide services that are attractive and competitive. God began this project; God will see to its conclusion. “Our governor has done what is not imaginable, only God can pay him back. But our promise is that you will continue to hear good stories about PAMO University Hospital. Your name being tied to it for eternity is our humble way of appreciating you.”

    Even though PAMO University Hospital would be run separately, it was established to complement and consolidate PUMS.

     Located in a serene environment in Rivers State, PUMS commenced in 2018 and is dedicated to building healthcare workers, including medical doctors, nurses and other allied courses in the country.

    Well-equipped and furnished to world standard, the university has been playing a key role in nation-building by moulding the youth population through its teaching, research and community services.

    The full accreditation of the school’s courses and programmes by medical and health professional bodies, including the National Universities Commission (NUC), Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN), Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN) and Radiographers Registration Board of Nigeria (RRBN), among others, has turned it to a first-choice for parents who want their children to have not just sound medical education but also to graduate in record time.

     Before the establishment of the newly well-equipped and furnished 250-bed integrated hospital, PUMS used to have PAMO Clinics and Hospitals Group established in the 1980s by Dr Odili, a renowned medical doctor.

     It is also a well-equipped and renowned hospital that used to serve families and corporate organisations spanning sectors such as energy, oil and gas, power, agriculture and construction.

     Besides, the school had a memorandum of understanding with the Rivers State Government and State University Teaching Hospital which its students visited for clinical training.

     As a result, students have been gaining medical knowledge and experience from the early stages, unlike other universities where students are not exposed to hospital experience until their 400 level.

     Since its establishment, the university has not only maintained its high standards which it started with but has also ensured that all the promises of infrastructure-basic and educational-are top-notch.

     Known for its unrivalled level of discipline and quality of learning, PUMS remains one of the best universities in the field of medical education in the country.

     Currently, PUMS ranks as Nigeria’s number one university in the NUC’s Female Enrolment Index.

     In a recent ranking of Nigerian universities by the NUC, PUMS ranks 35 out of the 200 universities in Nigeria, a feat achieved in less than four years of its existence.

    PUMS also ranks number one in full accreditation of its programmes by the NUC, MDCN, NMCN, MLSCN, and RRBN.

     At the last Nursing Council examinations in the university, the school recorded a 100 per cent pass rate, and a 95 per cent pass rate in the last Medicine and Surgery professional (MBBS) examinations with several distinctions recorded.

     Its third convocation ceremony will be held in December 2023, when it will award pioneer degrees in Medicine and Surgery in addition to other bachelor’s degrees.

    • Okoronkwo is a Port Harcourt-based journalist