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I Want Our People To Be Healthy, Says Uzodimma …Commissions Another Ultra Modern Hospital in Omuma

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The Source
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Hope Uzodimma

Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma on Thursday commissioned another ultra- modern hospital built by his government at Omuma in Oru East Council, declaring that he wants his people to be healthy.

Oru East is one of the oil-producing local government areas in Imo State and the hospital, Michael Uzodimma Memorial Hospital, brings to three the number of such hospitals commissioned recently by the Governor.

All the hospitals were furnished to international standard to meet the primary health care delivery needs of patients in the rural areas seeking services therein.

Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, an elated Governor Uzodimma said that “the services being offered by the hospital are world-class.”

His added: “I want our people to be healthy. The body system is like a vehicle. If you don’t service your vehicle it will break down and if you service your vehicle, it will move.”

The Governor said that the Michael Uzodimma Memorial Hospital, Omuma will be managed by the Catholic Diocese of Orlu.

He also handed over the key to a brand new Ambulance to the management of the hospital.

Earlier while commissioning the ones located at Umuokanne in Ohaji Egbema and at Oguta, the Governor said Umuokanne would be manned by the Anglican Church while the Catholic Church will manage the one at Oguta, both,  “as strategic managers and partners with the state government.”

In his welcome address, the Chairman of the Board of ISOPADEC, Eze Prof. Dele Amuzienwa Odigbo applauded Governor Uzodimma for the initiative to build the hospitals in the oil bearing Communities, noting that posterity will not forget him in a hurry.

He also used the opportunity to reassure the Governor that the affected communities will not only support his government, but will massively vote for him in the November 11 governorship election.

We Are Continuing With Peter Obi’s Legacy in Education – Soludo

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The Source
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Peter Obi and Charles Soludo

Nine years after leaving office as Governor of Anambra state, Labour Party Presidential candidate, Peter Obi’s good governance record continues to reverberate.

At the weekend, the Anambra State Government under Prof Charles Soludo praised the educational policy of Obi in Anambra state and pledged to continue with it.

Governor Soludo noted with commendation the significant educational contributions Obi made during his tenure. The Government observed that those remarkable achievements have continued to serve as a foundation for the ongoing educational development in the State.

Soludo, represented by his Deputy, Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim, expressed these sentiments at the funeral mass for Chief Alexander Ejesieme, Snr., held at St. John’s Catholic Church, Agulu, at the weekend. He highlighted the enduring value of the educational reforms initiated by Peter Obi in the State and emphasized the importance of further advancing educational development. Additionally, the Deputy Governor revealed that Gov. Soludo recently allocated substantial funds to support mission schools in the State.

“I thank Mr. Peter Obi for his numerous legacies in the education sector, upon which we are building. Yesterday, Governor Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo allocated the sum of N1.5 billion to missionary schools in the state as part of his administration’s efforts to sustain the quality of education in the state,” Ibezim said.

As a part of his efforts to transform education in the State, Mr. Peter Obi, in 2011, returned all mission schools to their original owners, the church, while guaranteeing adequate funding from the State government. Moreover, he bolstered these schools, both public and mission ones, with computers, libraries, Internet connectivity, generators, and laboratory equipment. Additionally, he made sure that each secondary school in the State received school buses and other essential academic resources.

Army Debunks Allegation Of Shooting At Protesters In Rivers State

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Nigerian Army Logo

By Akinwale Kasali

Contrary to speculations making the rounds that the 6th Division, Nigeria Army, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, shot at Protesters and manhandled Youths and Women at Rumuekpe Community, Emuoha Local Government  the Army said nothing of that nature took place.

The Nigeria Army through the Acting Deputy Director, Public Relations, 6th Division of the Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt, Major Jonah Danjuma Jonah in a statement issued said that the situation in Rumuekpe was an attempt by some miscreants who disguised as protesters to take the laws into their hands.

Major Danjuma said even though the ‘miscreants’ barricaded the road and attempted to stop troops on routine patrol access to a flow station where they were providing security, soldiers did not shoot to disperse them.

He noted that the allegations against the army were false and malicious, and said the troops are trained professionals who conduct themselves by adhering to the rules of engagement with respect for the rights of citizens, adding that he was at the scene and saw things for himself.

He stated, “I’m sure you are aware of the situation at Rumuekpe, where there was an attempt by some miscreants who disguised as protesters to take the laws into their hands.

“I was there; these miscreants barricaded the road leading into the community and attempted to stop troops on routine patrol access to a flow station where they are providing security from carrying out their responsibilities.

“The allegation that troops shot at peaceful protesters is illogical, malicious, and totally untrue. It is false and must be disregarded.

“Our troops are well-trained professionals who conduct themselves and operations by adhering to the rules of engagement and utmost respect for the fundamental human rights of the citizenry.

“So, there is no iota of doubt in what they are alleging. Good a thing I was there and if they have any evidence that what they are alleging happened, they should provide us with such evidence.”

While urging members of the public to disregard what he termed an ‘illogical allegation’, the spokesman said ”it is a futile attempt to malign the reputation of the Nigerian Army.

“I will reassure the good people of Rivers State, particularly Rumuekpe and environs to go about their normal businesses as no criminal gang would be allowed freedom of action to operate in the area,” he added.

It will be recalled that Executive Director of the Youths and Advocacy Centre, Fyneface Dumnamene in a statement issued in Port Harcourt alleged that two persons were rushed to the hospital while the whereabouts of a third person allegedly injured by the soldiers at the scene of the protest was unknown.

Also, some of the protesters alleged that in a bid to disperse them, the troops destroyed canopies they erected and seized their electronic equipment.

It was also gathered that some people in Rumuekpe, including women and elders in the community have been protesting the alleged failure of multinational companies operating in their community to meet their demands.

APC Chieftain Says Amaechi Never Ordered APC Members To Vote Against President Tinubu

By
Akinwale Kasali
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By Akinwale Kasali

Former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi is not in the good books of a faction of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the State and it seems the same at the  national level. This follows allegations that he worked against the victory of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the February 25th Presidential Election.

But, this has been debunked by Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, a Chieftain of the Party in the State. Eza stated that Amaechi could not have ordered members and supporters of the party in the State to vote against President Tinubu, during the 2023 Presidential election.

It will be recalled that Amaechi contested against President Tinubu in the APC Presidential Primary in Abuja, but he lost to the former Lagos State Governor.

He was second in the Primary won by Tinubu.

Eze, while reacting to a statement credited to a factional leader of the APC in the State, Tony Okocha, accused  him of carrying out of smear campaign against Amaechi.

Okocha, who led a delegation to the APC National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje alleged that prior to the election, Amaechi called a meeting where he informed them that he had struck a deal with the Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Atiku Abubakar, and directed them to vote the PDP against the Party’s candidate, Bola Tinubu.

However, in a media statement on Friday, Eze said the claim peddled by Okocha was fictitious and a cocktail of lies consciously schemed against Amaechi by adversaries who see such engagement as necessary to please their pay masters.

He said that Okocha was never a member of the APC during the period leading to the election and had no insight into the workings.

Further, the APC chief commended the party’s National Chairman, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, for disappointing the people he described as Wike’s conflict mercenaries, Okocha and company, who had gone to meet him.

Eze said the meeting was to seek Ganduje’s approval to proceed with their onslaught through campaigns of calumny against Amaechi and the mainstream APC State Executive in Rivers.

“Okocha and his team were disappointed when Abdullahi Ganduje cautioned them not to over-heat the polity and allow the leadership of the party at the centre work out modalities to calm frayed nerves and resolve every issue affecting the party in the state before delving into constituting another party structure in the state,” he said.

He reiterated that Wike, Okocha, or any member in their circle cannot remove Amaechi from APC, as he remains a founding member of the Party.

Kogi Guber: Tinubu Storms Confluence State For APC Candidate Sunday

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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The Kogi All Progressive Congress, APC, governorship Campaign rally will be flagged off on Sunday by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the ruling party has said.

Usman Ododo, the APC governorship candidate is seeking to succeed the outgoing Governor Yahaya Bello.

The party made this known on Friday in a statement signed by Kingsley Fanwo, the Campaign Spokesperson/ Director, Media and Publicity, Kogi APC Governorship Campaign Council.

Apart from the president, other chieftains of the party expected at the event include, Umar Ganduje, the National Chairman of APC, Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun state, and Chairman, APC National Campaign Council for Kogi Governorship Election, amongst others.

Fanwo said APC remains a party to beat in the state, adding that the rally will be used to make a statement that the state belonged to the ruling APC.

The statement said, “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as well as the National Leader of the party, His Excellency Alhaji Dr Umar Ganduje, the National Chairman of our great party;  Prince Dapo Abiodun, Governor of Ogun State and Chairman, APC National Campaign Council for Kogi Governorship Election, shall be leading other leaders of the party, esteemed members of our party and the general public to the epoch-making event to start our journey to victory on November 11, 2023.

“The ultra-modern Mohammadu Buhari Square, Lokoja, one of the aesthetic beauties of the GYB administration, will play host to the event, starting from 10 am.

“The Kogi State APC Governorship Campaign Council has put modalities in place to ensure a hitch-free Flagoff Rally.

“On Sunday, the 8th of October, 2023, our party will make a big statement ahead of the election as Kogi remains APC and APC is Kogi State.”

The state governorship election is one of the off-season elections to be held in November this year. Apart from Kogi, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, is expected to conduct governorship elections in Imo and Bayelsa states next month.

Meanwhile, watchers of the ruling APC insist that the governorship election in the three states would serve as a litmus test for President Tinubu and the APC after the party swept to power on May 29, 2023.

Petrol: NNPC Urges Nigerians To Ignore Price Hike Rumour; Landing Cost Hits N720 P/L

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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No plan to increase the current pump price of Premium Motor Spirit also known as petrol, according to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company, NNPC Limited.

The company made the clarification following the suggestion that a new price hike was imminent due to the rising price of crude oil and the scarcity of the dollar.

Some petroleum markers, had, on Wednesday said the current price of N620 per litre is no longer sustainable under the present situation, claiming that the landing cost of the product has gone as high as N720 per litre.

The marketers under the aegis of the Natural Oil and Gas Suppliers Association of Nigeria, NOGASA, said some filling stations are being shut down due to the shortage of the product, pleading with the government to intervene

NNPC however denied planning a new price hike, in a statement published on X on Friday.

The terse statement said, “Dear esteemed customers, we at NNPC Retail value your patronage, and we do not have the intention to increase our PMS pump prices as widely speculated.”

Since President Bola Tinubu assumed office on May 29, declaring that “fuel subsidy is gone“, the NNPC has increased its prices at least twice, now costing three times the cost at the time: below N200 per litre.

Speaking at the National Executive Council, NEC, meeting of NOGASA, yesterday, its president, Benneth Korie, said a lot of depots were running out of stock.

He also lamented commercial banks’ refusal to give out loans to marketers to purchase the product.

Korie said, “Depot owners are so terribly affected by the increasing cost of crude oil and exchange rate, to the extent that many depots are practically deserted as their owners are unable to secure bank loans to fund their business due to high-interest rates.

“Banks are not willing to guarantee funds release to stakeholders as a result of the difficulty, instability and galloping rates of foreign exchange and high cost of the dollar. Many depots are presently dried up or out of stock, and this is no gainsaying as it is evidently verifiable.”

He explained further that,  “Worst hit are filling stations whose owners find it extremely difficult to secure funds to procure products for their retail outlets. Both the independent and major marketers are so terribly affected.

“As of today, filling stations are shutting down in great numbers on a daily basis and dealers are going out of business, with many more on the verge of bankruptcy because of their inability to secure funds to facilitate orders for their stations.”

The magazine observed that some petrol stations have shut down in Lagos due to the non-availability of the product. Some marketers who spoke said Nigerians should brace up for scarcity ahead the festive period id nothing is done quickly by the government.

Tinubu’s Presidential Victory In Rivers State, A Miracle – Ganduje; “Wike Is Our Leader” – APC Faction

By
The Source
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By Charles Igbo

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, has described the victory of the Party in Rivers State in the February 25, 2023 Presidential Election as nothing but a miracle. That miraculous feat, Ganduje said, was performed by Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. The Minister was the Governor of the State during the Presidential Election.

Ganduje made this statement when a faction of the Rivers APC, led by Tony Okocha, paid him a courtesy visit. During the visit, Okocha, who was the Chief of Staff to the immediate past Minister for Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, when he was Rivers State Governor,  conferred on Wike the title of Leader of the APC in Rivers State.

For the records, Wike is, according to him, still a member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, but turned rogue during the Presidential Election and worked for the Presidential victory of the then APC Candidate, Bola Tinubu.

During the visit to Ganduje, Okocha, obviously in reference to an earlier visit to the National Chairman by the other faction of the Party led by its Governorship Candidate, Tonye Cole, told Ganduje to deal with Wike and shun other persons  “parading as leaders and members of the party in the state.”

He dismissed them as impostors who worked against Tinubu’s  Presidential victory Tinubu in the State. He said they lack the morals to “visit the APC national secretariat to ask for appointments in a government they worked against.”

Said Okocha: “We pray, Mr Chairman, to discountenance the machinations of the pretenders, who via hues and cries and trumping up lies, want to negate the natural law that aptly recommends that ‘one reaps where the one sows.’

“Those persons never supported the party nor are they sincere in their hearts, to be happy that President Tinubu made it to the Presidency.

“Mr Chairman, we summarise that the only group in APC Rivers state legitimate to seek compensation for the victory of APC/Tinubu in RIvers state, is the one here. Please contact us through the leader of the political infantry in Rivers state, who is serving in the federal cabinet presently.”

Ganduje, in his response agreed that the victory of the  APC and President Tinubu during the Presidential Election was miraculous, and attributed it to Wike. “Wike must have been the messiah used in actualising the victory”, he said.

Ganduje: “There is no doubt River state is a very important state in Nigeria, an oil state and also a reasonable population, which is an asset for election and an asset to any political party. So you can see how we cannot rubbish the State. Rivers, as a State in politics, is a very important state.

“In summary, our party in River state is highly fictionalised, that is a fact about it. Our party in Rivers state was killed by litigations, that one is a fact. And one important question that you asked is how come we won presidential election and lost state election. You said that was a miracle. Yes, if you say a miracle, there must be a messiah.

“We have to thank and congratulate you over the positive outcome of the election and what you did was as a result of what we are enjoying now because without winning Federal Election across many states, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed could not have become the President of this country.

“We have to congratulate you for that. What we are saying, is that yes, there is confusion in the Party, but we don’t want members to overheat the system. We are focused, we are organised, we work scientifically in politics.

“Therefore, give us an enabling environment, give us a chance so that we can put a round peg in a round hole, square peg in a square hole to maintain our dignity as a party.

“We have to capitalize on what we have, we have to capitalize on the fact that we have won the National Election in River state.

“We are not extracting anything less again, but give us a chance to see how we can have both the State and the National Election together. Whatever it is, we have received your address, and the party will come in and see how we can get a solid party leadership that we can move forward.

“But what we are begging is do not overheat the system. In overheating the system, some will go for litigation and then a vicious cycle will come again. We don’t want too much analysis because they say too much analysis leads to paralysis. So give us a chance so that we can consult, so that we look at the constitution of APC and then we wait and see how we can put things in order.”

Recall that while the APC won Rivers State in the Presidential Election, the PDP won in all other elections, including the National Assembly Election which was held same day as the Presidential election.

Not a few people have described the outcome of the Elections in the State as not only a miracle but controversial.

For pulling off that feat for the APC,  Wike was rewarded by President Tinubu with a Ministerial appointment.

How LGs Can Boost Farming – Afe Babalola, Wants Direct Release Of Councils’ Fund To Them

By
Ayodele Oni
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By Ayodele Oni

Founder of Afe Babalola University Ado-Ekiti, (ABUAD), Aare Afe Babalola, SAN, has observed that one of the obstacles hindering development in rural areas is non release of their allocations directly to them.

There have been efforts by stakeholders to ensure direct release of allocations from the federation account to local governments but frustrated by states.

The legal luminary advised President Bola Tinubu to ensure that local governments areas in the country receive their allocations directly from the federation account, to revive agriculture and boost the economy.

He pointed out that local councils have remained ineffective over the years in bringing development to the people, due to the activities of the governors who allegedly hijacked their allocations.

The ABUAD founder spoke, while declaring open the eighth edition of the Afe Babalola Agricultural Expo, (ABAEX), an annual gathering of farmers, where they would be empowered.

He explained that releasing funds to the council areas would enable the administrators to contribute to the socioeconomic development of the communities, especially supporting farmers.

“I am suggesting that local government areas should be empowered. Each local government should set up farming equipment for farmers to hire. They should also earmark large hectares of land for the farmers to farm.

“When I was a councillor, in those days, local government funds used to come directly to them. We all know what has been happening to their money.

“I think the current president, Bola Tinubu, should do all he can to ensure that local government allocation gets to them directly and not through the governors because they governors steal a lot.

“No parent will send their children to school, some to masters and PhD level, only to come back and be asked to use cutlass to farm.

“The best the government can do now to revive agriculture is to buy modern implements to encourage people to farm. If local government funds get to them they will be able to buy tractors for the people to rent it.”

Deaths Recorded In Osun Communal Clash, Govt Imposes Curfew

By
Ayodele Oni
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Ifon and Ilobu communities in Osun state Clash

By Ayodele Oni

Following unending communal clash between Ifon and Ilobu communities in Osun state, the state government has imposed 24hours curfew.

The two communities in Orolu and Irepodun local governments, have engaged in violence, which has claimed lives over a portion of land between them.

Apart from curfew, the state government has also announced taking over of the disputed area.

State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi in a statement, declared that “on behalf of His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Osun state, Senator Ademola Adeleke has directed that a 24-hour Curfew begins in Orolu and Irepodun local governments housing Ifon and Ilobu communities with immediate effect.

“To maintain a lasting peace and order pending when the issues at hand would be amicably resolved, Governor Ademola Adeleke in his executive capacity as the Chief Security Officer of the State, has ordered the immediate take over of the disputed lands/areas by his administration.

“In the same vein, government has ordered that anyone, or group of persons found or seen doing one thing or the other on the disputed lands/ areas would be made to face the full wrath of the law accordingly, by Osun state government.

“Therefore, in strict compliance with the 24 hour curfew now imposed, Adeleke administration has also ordered strict restriction of both human and vehicular movements in the affected areas and communities, until otherwise directed by His Excellency, the state Governor and the Chief Security Officer of Osun state.

“Accordingly, officers of the Joint Security Task Force comprising, the Nigerian Army, Police and Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps have been directed by His Excellency, to be on a 24 hour surveillance of the two communities with a view to ensuring a lasting peace.

“As a government, the present administration has the obligation as conferred on it by the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, to protect the lives and properties of the people of Orolu and Irepodun local governments and by extension, Osun state in general.

“The present administration will not, in anyway be a party to compromising any action or utterances that will mortgage the peace and order currently holding sway in Osun state since the inception of the present administration in the last one year.

“While commiserating with the affected families of those who lost their lives in the wake of the recent crisis, the present administration is still  reiterating the need for peace and order to be restored in the two concerned local governments.

“Maintaining peace and order is our collective responsibility in Osun state.”

Adebola Akin-Bright: NMA, Hail Lagos Assembly, Health Commissioner Affirms Infraction In Surgery

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Adebola Akin-Bright

By Akinwale Kasali

Following the death of Adebola Akin-Bright, the 12-Year with missing small intestine, and the investigation carried out by the Lagos State House of Assembly to unravel the circumstances that led to the late Akin-Bright missing intestine and death, stakeholders in the Nigeria Health Sector have lauded LAHA.

More revelations have been unearthed as the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, officials of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), the Association of Nigerian Private Medical Practitioners (ANPNP), Lagos State Chapter and other medical practitioners spoke at a public hearing over the case.

In attendance also were the parents of the late Master Akin-Bright and Dr. Abayomi Baiyewu of Obitoks Hospital where two initial surgeries were carried out on the boy before his referral to the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH).

While commending the House and its ad-hoc Committee, Chaired by Hon. Noheem Adams, for what they described as diligent investigation, they also agreed that there were infractions from the surgery as earlier reported by the House.

It would be recalled that ANPNP had issued a statement saying the Committee carried out its investigation without having a Medical Doctor on the panel. The body had also accused the Lawmakers of engaging in a witch-hunt by reducing the investigations to a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ session for Dr. Baiyewu.

However, a video documenting the investigation carried out by the Committee which was watched by participants showed that Dr. Baiyewu was given enough time to defend himself.

In the video, he admitted to taking out three parts from Master Akin-Bright during surgery and agreed that the parts were ‘mistakenly discarded’ instead of taking them for histology.

It was also discovered from the video recording and evidence that Obitoks Hospital used only Auxiliary Nurses during the surgery.

Dr. Baiyewu also confirmed that the video played was a true reflection of what happened during the investigation.

Speaking after the video was played, Dr. Abayomi, who said the House carried out a thorough investigation, added that the Ministry of Health, through the Health Facilities Monitoring and Accreditation Agency (HEFAMAA) had temporarily suspended the operation of the theatre of Obitoks Hospital, which, he said, lacked standard medical procedures.

He said when Master Akin-Bright was brought to  LASUTH, he was very unwell and needed to be stabilised before he would be operated upon.

He said that at the time of the surgery at LASUTH, the doctors found something unusual about the stomach, adding that a major part of the small intestine was discovered to be missing.

“They (LASUTH doctors) found a chaotic environment in the stomach. They found the upper part and the lower part of the digestive tracks open. It is very unusual to operate on a human being and find that he did not have small intestines. It is not logical.

“What we observed is that Dr. Baiyewu had two surgeries on the boy, the second one more detailed. He removed a certain part of Akin-Bright’s small intestine,” he added.

According to Prof. Abayomi, the most likely medical explanation could be that the private hospital “may have inadvertently injured the blood supply to the small intestine and when this happens, the organ would start to die and the body would start to absorb the organ.”

He said the findings by the State Ministry of Health had been forwarded to the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) for further investigation and sanction if needed.

“At LASUTH, we removed what was needed to be removed and sent it for histology. I admit that you carried out a detailed investigation,” he told the committee.

While commending the House, the NMA described the investigation as fantastic but urged that the MDCN be allowed investigate the case.

Dr. Kayode Akinlade, a former NMA chairman in Lagos, thanked the House for diligently probing the case adding that the private practitioners were only particular about public perceptions concerning their practice.

Another participant, Dr. Tunji Akintade, said the incident is a lesson for medical practitioners and the government.

“We need to have an adaptive referral system. What we have now is monologue. When we refer patients to a secondary facility, there should be feedback, a kind of communication,” he said.

In his remark, Hon. Adam, who serves as the Majority Leader of the House, thanked the participants and said the report of the public hearing would be presented to the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, and the whole House for further action.

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