The Minister of State for Health, Dr Adekunle Salako, yesterday urged the newly recruited staff of the National Orthopedic Hospital, Benin, to remain in the hospital where they have been employed and contribute their quota to the country’s growth rather than japa (leaving the country).
He appealed while touring the hospital facilities in Benin.
Dr. Salako said that the country belongs to them, and they must join hands to make it work, not by migrating to other countries.
“The President is committed to improving the standard of living of the average Nigerian. He is committed to ensuring that Nigeria transforms into a place 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 government. Let’s not abandon our country and Japa, as they say, because of economic crises alone.
“I want to come back and see that all the newly employed people remain in the service of this hospital serving our country because nobody will 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. Therefore, I encourage you to remain committed and patriotic and serve Nigeria intelligently.
“The reform that Mr. President is doing is 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.
Earlier, the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the National Orthopedic Hospital, Benin, Dr. Philip Ugbodaga, thanked President Tinubu for his efforts in assuring that health care remains a priority of his administration.
He said that no nation can develop without investing hugely in the health and education of its people.
Dr. Ugbodaga said that since this infrastructure came on board, they have done everything to ensure that the healthcare needs of Nigerians take centre stage, in line with the renewed hope agenda of the present administration.
The hospital’s CMD said that only a few things remain to be installed: the electrical fittings and the connection to the national grid, a few structural things to be done, and the final painting.
He said, “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 very hopeful that very soon, those few structural things that need 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 a parking lot for the hospital.
„Also, I want to remind the management that the open space
opposite the hospital, which was for my personal use. It was a means of livelihood for me. Now that the hospital needs it for packing space and beautifying the edifice, it is my prayer that the federal government and the hospital management put me on a monthly stipend to enable me to meet some of my personal needs.
„I want to draw your attention equally to the road links to the National Orthopedic Hospital, which must be fixed for easy accessibility.
„Finally, I want to announce to all and sundry and the hospital that the following 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.