Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has appealed to medical doctors in Nigeria to consider national interest and patriotism above the desire to migrate overseas in search of green pastures.

The Governor told a gathering of doctors under7 the auspices of Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) holding their National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Owerri, the Imo State capital, Thursday, that God created them for the purpose of saving lives and appealed to them not to gloss over that important role God assigned to them.

The theme of the Conference is: ‘’Healthcare System In A Depressed Economy,’’ was delivered by Dr. Anthony Mba, Consultant Physician/Pharmacologist, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu.

The Governor in his remarks told the NMA leadership to consider national interest and patriotism to discourage their members from moving outside the country to practice, but rather remain in the country to help to save the Nigerian citizens who wholly depend on them for healthcare and survival.

Speaking as the Special Guest of Honour, the Governor appealed to the doctors to also consider the current economic situation of the country and partner with the Federal and State Governments to improve on the existing healthcare system instead of abandoning the country for other countries, noting that “the only country we can proudly call our own is Nigeria.”

The Governor congratulated the doctors for their choice of Imo State for their meeting and thanked the leadership for the medical outreach they carried out in Nkwerre area of the State.

Governor Uzodimma reminded the doctors that by coming to Imo for their meeting, they have seen things for themselves, including the security situation, which has been largely given a wrong interpretation by political opponents to tarnish the image of the government.

“Your going to Nkwerre for the programme and coming back safely is a pointer to the fact that peace has returned to Imo State and the insinuation that Imo State is the insecurity headquarters of the world is not true.”

He said the NMA has joined the list of high profile meetings that had taken in the past  two years in Imo State and involving the Army, Police, Conference of Bishops, Accountants, Nigerian Guild of Editors and others. “That these bodies successfully held their meetings in Imo without hitches shows that Imo is safe.”

Governor Uzodimma said that his administration has made efforts, since inception, to give Imo citizens the best of healthcare first, by increasing the health sector’s budgetary allocation from paltry four percentage to eight percent and hoping to move it to 16 percent in the subsequent budget as part of measures to improve health delivery.

He recalled that his government established Free Mobile Health Clinic at inception in addition to the rehabilitation of the 305 Primary Healthcare Centres in the 305 Wards of the State because of the poor state of the health sector when he assumed office.

On Secondary healthcare system, the Governor informed of the construction of three brand new General Hospital in the State, equipped with state of the art facilities and ready for commissioning, all meant to complement the excellent works of the Specialist Hospital at Umuguma in Owerri.

He also recalled efforts made by his administration in the return of accreditation to School of Nursing and Midwifery at Aboh Mbaise and Amaigbo as well as the recovery of Imo State Teaching Hospital Orlu which was in a comatose state when he assumed office in January 2020.

Governor Uzodimma used the opportunity to thank the Federal Government for the approval to make FMC, Owerri a Teaching Hospital, saying the development has led to Imo State having two Tertiary health institutions, “a partnership that will offer comprehensive healthcare to the citizens of Imo State.”

Furthermore, Governor Uzodimma said that comprehensive and compulsory health insurance scheme which his government has initiated has started yielding results and solicited private partnership for it to work optimally.

Though the Governor acknowledged that the doctors working in Nigeria may not be getting enough compared to their contemporaries outside the country, he assured that on his part, his government will continue to take their welfare seriously “because it is work in progress.”

He commended the patriotism of the leadership of NMA at the State and National levels, and the entire membership of the Nigerian Medical Association and promised that Imo State will continue to support them.

In his address, the national President of Nigerian Medical Association, Dr Uche Ojinmah noted that contrary to what they heard and read on social media about insecurity,  “Imo is safe.”

He called on his members “to persevere, work closer together and provide anchors for one another to weather through the raging storm of life ocean,” reminding his members of the Hippocratic oath they took.

He also urged his members to pray and work for peace and prosperity of the nation.

Dr. Ojinmah commended the Governor for all he has achieved in the health sector in the State and enjoined him to do more, saying “with little incentive the services of doctors can be retained.”

He also thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for appointing seven medical doctors into the Federal Executive Council, saying it  portrays doctors as men of trust.

The Imo State chairman of Nigerian Medical Association,  Dr Chidi Obieshi expressed gratitude to the Governor for hosting the NEC meeting and congratulated him on his landmark achievements in the health sector in the State.

He requested from him more welfare packages for his members, especially the implementation of their special salary structure, the CONMESS.

The Chairman of the occasion, Prof Maurice Iwu, while welcoming the doctors to the State said he strongly believes in the spirit of “one health” as promoted by the World Health Organization.

He asked the doctors to note the changing parameters in their profession which he said is what is happening in the digital world,  appealing to them to embrace African Traditional Medicine as part of their own practice in the spirit of one health.

The Minister of Education (State), Hon. Tanko Yahaya Sunono who was also invited for the event thanked Governor Uzodimma for not just revamping the health sector in Imo State but other sectors. He appealed to the Governor to use his position as Chairman of Progressive Governors Forum to get his colleagues to deal with the rising figure of out of school children as it concerns the male child in the country.

The State Commissioner for Health,  Dr. Prosper Success-Ohayagha thanked the Governor for singlehandedly hosting the event and for all his interventions In the health sector in Imo State.

Governor Hope Uzodimma on Wednesday flagged off the distribution of palliatives in Imo State, reminding the citizens that the items for distribution are meant for all Imo citizens regardless of their political affiliation.

Governor Uzodimma spoke at the premises of the Imo State Ministry of Digital Economy and E-Government (formerly ICAPS Centre), on Egbu road, Owerri where he also inspected the warehouse containing thousands of bags of rice procured by the government for distribution.

“I can confirm, that Imo State has received her own. Out of the N4 billion,  N2 billion has been released to Imo State,” the Governor said as he braved the heavy downpour in Owerri, Wednesday, to flag off the distribution with a template that is all inclusive and captures all segments of Imo society.

In his remarks, Governor Uzodimma thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his thoughtfulness over the palliatives and determination to ensure that Nigerians, including Imo State citizens, are not subjected to much hardship following the removal of the fuel subsidy.

Governor Uzodimma’s remarks read in parts: “You recall the incident of the policy of the removal of fuel subsidy, and the temporary hardship that followed. That policy was one of the most cogent policies that this government has taken to be able to save our economy from collapse.

“The policy we observed; came with some initial challenges which include high cost of living and poverty in the land. The Federal Government deliberately brought out measures that will cushion the effects of those negative impacts occasioned by the policy. The Federal Government working with State governments have lined up a lot of measures and actions. The Federal Government of recent supported all the States with what they called fiscal support.

“I can confirm that Imo State has received her own.

“In addition to that, the Federal Government also worked out a programme to distribute food products to States, through the State government.

“Out of the N4 billion,  N2 billion has been released to Imo State of which the remaining N2 billion will be released very soon.

“In addition to that, the Federal Government will deliver maize worth of N1billion to the 36 States of the federation which means that N1billion worth of maize will also be delivered to Imo State. We are waiting to take delivery of that maize.

“We have decided to buy rice with the N2 billion sent to us, which represents (working by their unit price) N50,000 per bag of rice. We have decided to buy the rice from our local markets so that we can patronise our local sellers. We want the money to go round, so that there will be a value chain.

“Today,  I am flagging off  the distribution under phase one, 65,000 bags of rice to all the indigenes and citizens of Imo State and I want you to join me in thanking the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Ahmed Bola Tinubu (GCFR) for this gesture of his.

“There will be some initial challenges and teething problems but on the overall, he has rolled out some policies that will recover our economy, reduce the foreign exchange rate in Nigeria, and also create prosperity for all.

“In the area of transportation, the Federal Government will soon be delivering CNG buses and electric buses to States.  In addition to that arrangement, the Imo State government will float a brand new transport company that will be equipped with brand new vehicles to reduce the cost of transportation within and outside Imo State.

“Imo State workers and labour unions remain the most patriotic in the country. I salute their understanding and their willingness to continue to support the government.”

Governor Uzodimma who said the government constituted a palliatives distribution committee led by the Secretary to Government of Imo State, Chief Cosmos Iwu, and made up of Commissioners and other key persons in civil service and labour unions, noted that nobody would be left out in the process of the distribution.

He said that the first phase of the palliatives  would see to the distribution of 65,000 bags of rice across the 305 Electoral Wards in Imo State regardless of political party leaning, trade unions, political appointees, civil/ public servants, teachers, religious bodies, security agencies, tertiary institutions, ethnic nationalities resident in Imo, among others.

Governor Uzodimma also assured that when the maize grains are released and received, the government will mandate the committee to also work out the modalities for the distribution do that everyone will get.

He appealed to the citizens to keep fate with the government of the day, both at the centre and in the State, as efforts are being made to ensure that the welfare of the citizens remains priority in the policy thrust of government.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Imo State Palliatives Implementation Committee, Chief Cosmos Iwu who is also the Secretary to Government of Imo State told the gathering that nobody would be short changed as far as the distribution of the palliatives is concerned.

He assured that the State Government has enough rice stashed in different warehouses across the State for distribution, hence there should be no need for worry.

Chief Iwu thanked Governor Uzodimma for all he has done to improve the well being of Imo citizens even before the fuel subsidy removal and after the removal, noting that the governor’s people oriented policies are second to none and will always be appreciated.

He added that today in Imo State, the least paid civil servant goes home with N40,000, courtesy of Governor Uzodimma’s raise of the salary of civil/ public servants and immediate implementation following the removal of fuel subsidy.

Governor Hope Uzodimma on Wednesday flagged off the distribution of palliatives in Imo State, reminding the citizens that the items for distribution are meant for all Imo citizens regardless of their political affiliation.

Governor Uzodimma spoke at the premises of the Imo State Ministry of Digital Economy and E-Government (formerly ICAPS Centre), on Egbu road, Owerri where he also inspected the warehouse containing thousands of bags of rice procured by the government for distribution.

“I can confirm, that Imo State has received her own. Out of the N4 billion,  N2 billion has been released to Imo State,” the Governor said as he braved the heavy downpour in Owerri, Wednesday, to flag off the distribution with a template that is all inclusive and captures all segments of Imo society.

In his remarks, Governor Uzodimma thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his thoughtfulness over the palliatives and determination to ensure that Nigerians, including Imo State citizens, are not subjected to much hardship following the removal of the fuel subsidy.

Governor Uzodimma’s remarks read in parts: “You recall the incident of the policy of the removal of fuel subsidy, and the temporary hardship that followed. That policy was one of the most cogent policies that this government has taken to be able to save our economy from collapse.

“The policy we observed; came with some initial challenges which include high cost of living and poverty in the land. The Federal Government deliberately brought out measures that will cushion the effects of those negative impacts occasioned by the policy. The Federal Government working with State governments have lined up a lot of measures and actions. The Federal Government of recent supported all the States with what they called fiscal support.

“I can confirm that Imo State has received her own.

“In addition to that, the Federal Government also worked out a programme to distribute food products to States, through the State government.

“Out of the N4 billion,  N2 billion has been released to Imo State of which the remaining N2 billion will be released very soon.

“In addition to that, the Federal Government will deliver maize worth of N1billion to the 36 States of the federation which means that N1billion worth of maize will also be delivered to Imo State. We are waiting to take delivery of that maize.

“We have decided to buy rice with the N2 billion sent to us, which represents (working by their unit price) N50,000 per bag of rice. We have decided to buy the rice from our local markets so that we can patronise our local sellers. We want the money to go round, so that there will be a value chain.

“Today,  I am flagging off  the distribution under phase one, 65,000 bags of rice to all the indigenes and citizens of Imo State and I want you to join me in thanking the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Ahmed Bola Tinubu (GCFR) for this gesture of his.

“There will be some initial challenges and teething problems but on the overall, he has rolled out some policies that will recover our economy, reduce the foreign exchange rate in Nigeria, and also create prosperity for all.

“In the area of transportation, the Federal Government will soon be delivering CNG buses and electric buses to States.  In addition to that arrangement, the Imo State government will float a brand new transport company that will be equipped with brand new vehicles to reduce the cost of transportation within and outside Imo State.

“Imo State workers and labour unions remain the most patriotic in the country. I salute their understanding and their willingness to continue to support the government.”

Governor Uzodimma who said the government constituted a palliatives distribution committee led by the Secretary to Government of Imo State, Chief Cosmos Iwu, and made up of Commissioners and other key persons in civil service and labour unions, noted that nobody would be left out in the process of the distribution.

He said that the first phase of the palliatives  would see to the distribution of 65,000 bags of rice across the 305 Electoral Wards in Imo State regardless of political party leaning, trade unions, political appointees, civil/ public servants, teachers, religious bodies, security agencies, tertiary institutions, ethnic nationalities resident in Imo, among others.

Governor Uzodimma also assured that when the maize grains are released and received, the government will mandate the committee to also work out the modalities for the distribution do that everyone will get.

He appealed to the citizens to keep fate with the government of the day, both at the centre and in the State, as efforts are being made to ensure that the welfare of the citizens remains priority in the policy thrust of government.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Imo State Palliatives Implementation Committee, Chief Cosmos Iwu who is also the Secretary to Government of Imo State told the gathering that nobody would be short changed as far as the distribution of the palliatives is concerned.

He assured that the State Government has enough rice stashed in different warehouses across the State for distribution, hence there should be no need for worry.

Chief Iwu thanked Governor Uzodimma for all he has done to improve the well being of Imo citizens even before the fuel subsidy removal and after the removal, noting that the governor’s people oriented policies are second to none and will always be appreciated.

He added that today in Imo State, the least paid civil servant goes home with N40,000, courtesy of Governor Uzodimma’s raise of the salary of civil/ public servants and immediate implementation following the removal of fuel subsidy.