Minister of State for Health, Dr Adekunle Salako, on Monday, urged the newly recruited staff of the National Orthopedic Hospital, Benin, to remain in the hospital where they have been employed with the view of contributing their quota to the growth of the country rather than ‘Japa’ (leaving the country).
He made the appeal while touring the hospital facilities on Tuesday in Benin
Dr Salako said that the country belongs to them and it is their duty to join hands to make it work and not by migrating to other countries.
“The President is committed to the improvement of the living standard of the average Nigerian. He is committed to ensuring that Nigeria transforms into a place that we all can live comfortably and be proud of.
“So, for those of us who are newly employed, please let us remain committed to our country. Let us display patriotism to the country. Let’s not, because of economic crises alone, abandon our country, and Japa, as they say.
“I want to come back and see that all the people that are newly employed remain in the service of this hospital serving our country because nobody is going to come to build this country for us.
“If we don’t do it ourselves when we go, we still come back and meet it the way we have left it. So, I want to encourage all of you to remain committed, to remain patriotic, and to serve Nigeria intelligently.
“The reform that Mr President is doing, is a reform for the betterment of our country. I can assure you that we are turning the corner and things are getting better. Very soon, things will get much, much and much better,” Dr Salako said.
While explaining Tinubu’s love for the state, which has led to several of the federal government’s presence, Salako maintained that “I must say that President Bola Tinubu has a special interest in a state, particularly Benin.
“Not only are we citing the national hospital in the south south here in Benin, before coming here, I was at the National Obstetrics Fistula Centre.
“Also, out of the six states in the South, Edo State particularly is especially favored. So, I think this is a demonstration that the president really loves this city. He really loves this state.”
Earlier, the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the National Orthopedic Hospital, Benin, Dr. Philip Ugbodaga, thanked President Tinubu’s efforts to ensure that health care remains a priority of his administration.
He said indeed, no nation can develop without investing hugely in the health and education of its people.
Dr. Ugbodaga said since this infrastructure came on board, they have done everything to ensure that the healthcare needs of Nigerians take the centre stage in line with the renewed hope agenda of the present administration.
The CMD of the hospital said that they have only a few things left to be put in place, which are the electrical fittings and the connection to the national grid, as well as a few structural things to be done and then the final painting.
According to him; “You will agree with me that all of these are very minor. So it is our plea, our minister, that with your full support, we are highly and very hopeful that very soon, those few structural things that needed to be done are completed in this hospital so that full clinical services will commence”.
On the part of the traditional ruler of the community, HRH Michael Ogbonmwan, while commending the federal government for siting the hospital in his community, offered his land as parking lot for the hospital.
“Also, I want to remind the management that the open space opposite the hospital was for my personal use. It was a means of livelihood for me.
“Now that the hospital needs it for packing space and also to beautify the edifice, it is my prayer that the federal government and the hospital management put me on a monthly stipend to enable me meet some of my personal needs.
“I want to equally draw your attention to the road links to the National Orthopedic Hospital to be fixed for easy accessibility.
“Finally, I want to announce to all and sundry and to the hospital in particular that the next compound has been donated to the National Orthopedic Hospital as a permanent site.
“I have discussed with my elders and we have decided to work with the local government chairman to relocate the mini-market to another site where the community originally proposed for the market,” Ogbonmwan said.
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