Nasarawa State Governor, Engineer Abdullahi Sule said government must endeavour to train indigenous doctors in order to forestall the hijacking of the medical profession by persons who may not necessarily understand the challenges confronting the state.
Engineer Sule stated this while hosting national officials of the Nasarawa State University Keffi (NSUK) alumni association, who came on a courtesy visit at the Government House, on Tuesday.
The Governor decried the high level of insensitivity demonstrated by striking medical doctors in the state, who inspite of the health and economic challenges posed by COVID-19, downed tools seeking for the implementation of promotions during the past ten years.
Engineer Sule described as “painful”, a situation where the striking doctors working in pubic hospitals, chose to remain adamant, amidst the coronavirus scourge, leaving the people of the state to suffer needless hardships.
While commending the first civilian governor of the state, Senator Abdullahi Adamu for establishing the state varsity, the Governor vowed that his administration will do everything possible to ensure that the new College of Medicine takes off.
“If that is the only thing I can do for Nasarawa State, by the grace of God, I will do it. So that one day, you will have 70-80 percent of doctors working in our hospitals who are indigenes of Nasarawa State,” he stated.
Engineer Sule lamented that the striking doctors seek to compare Nasarawa State with other states in the country, not mindful of the fact that Nasarawa State is at the bottom line when it comes to subvention from the Federal Government.
According to the Governor, only indigenous will appreciate the unique challenges confronting the state and would not readily subject the people of the state to more avoidable hardships.
Engineer Sule restated the commitment of his administration to further develop the state owned university, adding that he will continue to commit government and his personal resources to ensure the newly established college of medicine also takes off.
Commenting on the newly established School of Engineering in Gudi, Engineer Sule expressed satisfaction with the progress of work at the site. He commended the Vice Chancellor of the university for the progress of work so far.
Engineer Sule disclosed that he personally donated N20m as take off grant for the Faculty of Engineering, with the institution now about starting the process of admitting engineering students.
“One of the greatest things that ever happened to us, was the establishment of the Nasarawa State University Keffi by Senator Abdullahi Adamu,” the Governor stated.
Earlier, in an opening remarks, National President of the NSUK Alumni association, Mustapha Isa, said they were at the Government House to congratulate the Governor on his one year anniversary, as well as show appreciation for the numerous interventions by the state government at their alma mater.
Members of the NSUK Alumni association equally commended Engineer Sule for the landmark achievements so far recorded within the span of one year, saying the Governor came into power with the people of the state at heart.
They specifically commended Engineer Sule for establishing the Nasarawa State Health Insurance Scheme, as well as the Bureau for Public Procurement, among others.
The NSUK Alumni association however requested for the intervention of the Governor for the association to have a representative in the university council.
They equally informed the Governor about the choice of NSUK to host the general meeting of all universities alumni associations at a yet to be determined date.
