Former Governor of Rivers State, Dr. Peter Odili, has commented on the defection of Governor Siminalayi Fubara from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress, describing the move as timely and advantageous for the state.
Odili said the governor’s decision has strategically drawn Rivers State closer to the centre of power, a situation he noted would create greater opportunities for growth and rapid development.
The elder statesman made his views known over the weekend at the eighth Founders’ Day and fifth convocation ceremony of the PAMO University of Medical Sciences in Port Harcourt, where he is the Founder and Pro-Chancellor.
According to Odili, the alignment of Rivers State with the federal government is “perfect,” stressing that states closer to the centre often benefit from improved access to national resources and policy backing.
He praised Governor Fubara’s administration for placing strong emphasis on education and healthcare, particularly through investments in primary healthcare and the construction of standard zonal hospitals across the state.
“With what you have done as our governor, the attention you have paid to education and health is highly commendable. I am sure no state in Nigeria can boast of the quality of zonal hospitals you have built,” he said.
Odili further stated that the governor’s healthcare programmes align with the reforms of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the health sector, adding that such synergy would translate into real benefits for the people of Rivers State.
“The emphasis on primary healthcare is excellent, and you have tailored your programmes to align correctly with what Mr. President is doing in the health sector. So far, at least 500 infrastructure projects have been completed across the country,” he stated.
He also called on the people of Rivers State to support Governor Fubara, noting that active involvement in national governance would ensure the state receives its fair share of national opportunities.
“The alignment of Rivers State with the federal government is therefore perfect. We support it and encourage it because our people are now in the kitchen where the national cake is baked,” Odili added.
Shifting focus from politics, the former governor expressed concern over the growing emigration of Nigerian medical professionals to other countries, describing the trend as a major challenge to the nation’s healthcare system.
He advocated improved welfare packages for doctors and other health workers, including enhanced remuneration and an increase in the retirement age for medical practitioners to about 70 years.
Odili revealed that many professors at PAMO University of Medical Sciences are retired academics from other institutions who continue to make meaningful contributions to medical education.
“Judges can suspend work for months, engineers can halt construction, but no medical professional can afford the luxury of suspending treatment of patients. Let us make our pastures greener in Nigeria,” he said.
Governor Fubara, who was represented at the event by his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu, expressed satisfaction with the progress recorded by the university, particularly the impact of state-sponsored scholarships for Rivers indigenes.
She assured that the Rivers State Government would continue to support the institution, citing the quality of medical graduates it produces.
Earlier, the Chancellor of the university and former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd.), said approvals granted by the National Universities Commission were aimed at strengthening the quality of healthcare professionals in the country.
He commended regulatory bodies for inducting the university’s graduates into professional associations and reiterated the institution’s zero-tolerance policy on social vices.
In his remarks, the Acting Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Smith Jaja, disclosed that 126 students graduated across various medical disciplines.
He urged the graduands to uphold the values of the institution and strive to exceed the accomplishments of their predecessors.
