Delight Chinedum

Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in 2023 elections, Mr Peter Obi has described health as critical foundation of growth and development of any society.

Obi stated this during a visit to the Dame Irene Okwuosa Memorial Hospital Irefi Oraifite in Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra State.

He expressed satisfaction over humanitarian disposition and team spirit of the health personnel in the facility towards saving lives, especially free heart surgeries for hundreds of patients in the hospital.

Describing the world class medical facility as very impressive, Obi praised the benefactor, Sir Emeka Okwuosa for the initiative and benevolence, urging other spirited individuals and organizations to emulate the gesture.

He said, “I’m very impressed with what I saw today. I’ve said it severally, this kind of facility is what we need to replicate in other sectors by well meaning individuals.

“If we have the kind of doctors I saw here working as a team and saving lives, you can imagine what our country will look like.

“Health is a critical thing. I’ve always said it, health is the foundation of development. Once you have health and education, and you’re able to pull people out of poverty, you’re developing. That’s all is required.

“Here we are seeing those voluntarily caring for people, especially the poor and indigent. I really appreciate the man behind the success stories, Sir Emeka Okwusa for the great work and ask him to keep the flag flying.”

Earlier, Executive Director of Sir Emeka Okwuosa Foundation, Dr Chidimma Okoye said the hospital, since two years of inception had carried out 117 open hearts surgery for adults and pediatrics, at an estimated cost of $457,089,129

She said 47 of the free surgeries were children, while 70 subsidized were adults, carried out by over 83 health personnel.

She said, “The Foundation, in partnership with Vincent Ohaju Obioma Memorial (VOOM) Foundation 6th Biannual medical mission is involved in open heart surgery for pediatrics and adults.

“Aside our general OPD, we run missions twice a year, one in May and another in September/October or sometimes in October/November.

“During the mission, we center on cadiothoracic surgery with renowned surgeons. Here we have state-of-the-art equipment, including cath lab, which we pride in. This is the only hospital in this area that is well equipped.

“As at the last count, we’ve carried out 117 open hearts surgeries for adults and pediatrics, with 70 for the former and 47 for the later.

“For pediatrics, it’s totally free of charge while adults are done on subsidized cost. But even with the subsidy, only 5 patients could afford to pay.

“After assembling over 83 doctors, nurses, anesthesiologist, among others to the country for these tasks, if we don’t have people capable of funding the surgery, we’re left with no option than to throw our doors open.

“That’s why for the past few days, all the adults we handled their cases were operated free of charge. If the patients were to pay, we should be talking about over $457,089,129 from May 2022 to May 2024.”

Asked how the hospital was able to assemble such huge foreign medical workforce, the Executive Director said the health workers were driven by passion to giving back to the society.

“They voluntarily take out their vacation time to offer this free life changing surgery services, instead of choice of Hawaii or Dubai. Outside their local tickets, we take adequate care of their feeding, accommodation and security.

“It is worthy to note that this facility runs on 24hours diesel all through the 3weeks period of operations. We don’t want to run the risk of epileptic power supply that can lead to casualties,” she added.

On the criteria for patients’ admission, Okoye said admission was essentially on the nature of the surgery to be determined by the surgeons, devoid of favoritism and tribalism.

“Last October, we were flooded with 120 families across the country but the team on ground was only able to operate on 15.

“Even though most of the patients that visit here are indigent, we still screen them basically on how critical the case is. Besides, our surgeons determines the cases we handle. There’s absolutely no favoritism or tribalism.

“We handle patients from all parts of the country, as long as the child runs through evaluations and the surgeons certify the child. Meanwhile, we’re time bound because the surgeons have limited time they spend at the facility.

Expressing assurances of support from the visitor, and former governor of Anambra State, Okoye solicited collaboration of other donors to ensure uninterrupted operations.

Her words, “Today, we received His Excellency who was at the facility to see the equipment, the patients and what we’re doing. Each mission cost us N500million for logistics. Leaving it for one man alone will definitely be heavy burden on him. So we need partners.

“We’re also embarking on aggressive publicity through our social media handles, digital media and influencers to ensure more persons get to know about the facility.

“We had this last child in the ICU who was a miracle and we’re proud of that. I’m particularly thrilled that the surgeons didn’t lose hope in the process.

“The child is so happy. The father was here yesterday, shedding tears of joy. These are the things that make me happy, as well as gives me pleasure and courage to continue pushing on.

“I’m very fulfilled because saving lives has been my passion. This is my 17 years of experience. I travel to remote countries and states rendering these live-saving services.”

Rev. Fr. Obiora Ugochukwu, CEO of Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, revealed during Peter Obi’s visit to the school that Obi had accidentally overpaid the hospital’s School of Nursing by ₦2.5 million. Obi had pledged ₦20 million to 16 medical institutions, paying in instalments, but the hospital received ₦2.5 million extra. Fr. Ugochukwu initially thought it was an isolated mistake until other institutions reported the same. When he contacted Obi about the error, Obi was pleased with the integrity shown.

Obi confirmed the story and, during the visit, donated an additional ₦10 million. He explained that the extra amount would be given to institutions that demonstrated honesty by reporting the overpayment. Obi also encouraged public and private sector managers to uphold such transparency.

In his words: “Today, in furtherance of my unwavering commitment to critical and measurable areas of development—health, education, and lifting people out of poverty—I visited Our Lady of Lourdes College of Nursing Sciences, Ihiala. During my visit, I took stock of their progress and was pleased to witness the positive outcomes of our ongoing support. Earlier this year, I donated ₦20 million to aid their efforts, and in recognition of their commendable work, I made an additional donation of ₦10 million today.”

Obi encouraged the students to remain dedicated in their pursuits, assuring them that the world would always need nurses and other healthcare workers. He mentioned some Nigerian nurses abroad who are supporting their families and urged the students to grow with the same spirit of helping others, including their teachers.

Obi also took the opportunity to encourage the government to pay special attention to schools, emphasising that spending on education should be seen as an investment, not a waste.

Miss Peace Ituma, Secretary General of the Student Union, expressed gratitude on behalf of the students, noting that Obi’s contributions, dating back to his time as Governor, had significantly enhanced the school’s infrastructure. Obi was given a tour of the complex to observe ongoing projects, including a new administrative building partly funded by his donations.

Caption for the pic

Mr. Peter Obi(in black), presenting 10m Cheque to our Lady of Lourdes School of Nursing, Ihiala for continued infrastructural improvement.

Shuaibu Zubair Tatu, Birnin Kebbi

Kebbi State Government has introduced ‘a single demand notice’ aimed at abolishing multiple taxation to enable small and medium scale businesses to thrive and flourish.

The Director General, Kebbi Investment Promotion Agency, KIPA, Dr. Muhammad Kabir Kamba, gave this indication at a Forum on access to credit for micro, small and medium scale entrepreneurs, in Birnin Kebbi, yesterday.

Dr. Kamba explained that KIPA was established last year to boost investments in the state and encourage economic development.

“Small and Medium enterprises are key to economic growth, the incumbent administration of Kauran Gwandu is committed to the removal of all impediments to business activities, including multiple taxation”,

“The Governor has issued an Executive Order for a ‘single demand notice’ to allow a breathing space for small and medium businesses in tax payment”,

“KIPA was established to facilitate the creation of favourable entrepreneurship environment and ensure ease of doing business in Kebbi”,

“We are aware of the challenges faced by small and medium scale entrepreneurs in accessing credit facilities from finance institutions, we have assembled all stakeholders to this forum to reappraise the matter for obvious solutions”, Dr. Kamba remarked.

Opening the session, Kebbi acting Head of Service, Hajiya Aishatu Usman, said small and medium scale businesses played pivotal role in driving economic growth, innovation and job creation in the state.

“Kebbi State Government remains committed to the provision of an enabling environment for businesses to thrive”,

“The administration established KIPA to promote investment, enhance economic development and provide support to business enterprises”,

“This forum aligns with our mission to facilitate access to finance, a critical factory in unlocking the potential of small and medium businesses”,

The acting Head of Service made it clear that the Kebbi 2024 Budget prioritised initiatives that foster economic growth, including programmes aimed at improving access to credit for micro, small and medium scale entrepreneurship.

“We recognise challenges entrepreneurs face on the issues of funding and the government is committed to removing these obstacles”, the acting Head of Service, said.

Participants at the session comprised of Businessmen and women, Bankers, Micro Finance Houses, Investors, Financial Organisations and KIPA technocrats.