January 17, (THEWILL) – Governor David Nweze Umahi on Monday, expressed the government’s preparedness to build a new Teaching Hospital for Ebonyi State University, within the remaining five months of his administration.
Governor Umahi made the pledge while commissioning some landmark projects at the National Obstetric Fistula Centre, NOFIC, Abakaliki.
The Governor said the new Teaching Hospital becomes imperative to help scale up the production of Medical manpower needs of the State.
He applauded the Medical Director of NOFIC, Professor Johnson Obunna, for his professional aptitude in the management of the Hospital.
Governor Umahi also commended the NOFIC Management for adopting the State’s concrete road technology in the construction of its internal roads.
“Using our concrete road technology shows the love and how deep it is. I appreciate your staff as those who are helping the Leaders are more important than the Leader himself.”
Continuing, the Governor commended President Buhari for the support he has given Ministries and MDAs and States in the country. ” Buhari has done a lot across the country.
“You see a man who is sincere, a man who is committed, and that is Mr. President, General Buhari. If anybody is talking rubbish about him, that is their business, I will acknowledge his good deeds loudly; through him, Ebonyi State has come to be.”
While thanking former Governor Martin Elechi and his wife for conceiving NOFIC, Engineer Umahi lauded President Muhammadu Buhari, for his continued interventions in the State.
Engineer Umahi expressed determination to assist the David Nweze University of Health Sciences Uburu to set up an oxygen plant before his administration winds down in the month of May.
Speaking, the Minister of State for Health, Chief Joseph Ekumankama noted that the Federal Government is disposed to partnering with the Ebonyi State Government to improve the Health needs of Citizens.
The Honourable Minister, who commended Governor Umahi and the Management of NOFIC for the vast development in the Facility, pledged to avail them of more opportunities to diversify health care delivery to the people.
Earlier, the Medical Director, Professor Johnson Obuna, said that NOFIC is “the only federal tertiary health institution, who are involved in free and active-case detection for free treatment, free feeding, free rehabilitation and free transportation back home”.
Professor Obunna noted further that, “the National Obstetric Fistula Centre, Abakaliki is the first National Obstetric Fistula Centre in Nigeria. It metamorphosed from MCCI (Mother and Child Care Initiative), which was the PetProject of the wife of the former Governor of Ebonyi State, Her Excellency, Chief Mrs Josephine Elechi. With the dogged assistance and efforts of His Excellency, when he was the Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State, the Federal Government took it over in 2011”.
He Commended the healthy synergy among the management staff.
He, however, noted some challenges of the centre including land space for expansion, training and rehabilitation complex among others.
He commended President Buhari, the Governor and the Minister for support.
“We wish to express our profound gratitude to the Almighty God for life and good health. We also thank Him for the golden opportunity given to us to serve humanity.
“We thank our dear President, His Excellency, Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR for giving us this privilege to work in his Government and serve this country. Your Excellency, thank you, Sir.
“We are grateful to His Excellency, the Governor of Ebonyi and our dear mummy, Her Excellency Chief Mrs Rachel Umahi, for their support to the Centre and for providing the enabling and conducive environment for us to operate.
“We are grateful to the Federal Ministry of Health, ably led by the Hon Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire; Hon Minister, State for Health, Hon. Joseph Ekumankama CEHF; and the Permanent Secretary FMOH, Alhaji Mahmuda Mamman. We are grateful to you for believing in us and for allowing us to serve humanity in this capacity.
“Your Excellency and the Honourable Minister Sir, we thank you specially for making out time to visit us. I am a witness to how busy your offices are. Despite the demand of your busy offices, you gave us your precious time. We are grateful Sir.
“I thank my predecessor for his continued support and advice, the members of the NOFIC Management team, the heads of departments/units and indeed the entire staff of NOFIC for the unalloyed support given to me always. Thank you for your support.
“Finally, we thank God for the journey mercies He granted you and your entourage. You will go back in peace and safely in Jesus’ name, Amen,” he concluded.
About the Author
Sunday Ogbu is a professional journalist with eight - twelve years experience that had worked with various print and online media. Sunday specializes in news reporting with the aim of educating his readers on current social, political and economic occurences within his area of coverage. Sunday is a strong force to work with in the media industry and uses his positive attitude and tireless energy to encourage others to work hard and succeed. Sunday is inspired daily by his wife and their four children. In his free time, Sunday likes sight-seeing, reading and discussing issues of societal interest.
