Ahmadu Jibril, Special Assistant to Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi on Youths and Students Matter, says his principal deserves special commendation for 'miraculously' saving residents of the state from being killed by COVID-19 pandemic.
This is just as he told Nigerians to expect a total overhaul of Nigeria’s health sector if he is elected President in 2023.
Jibril made this known on Saturday during the Nigerian Medical Students’ Association International Health Summit 2021 at the Baze University, Abuja, where he represented the governor.
This is just as he commended the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) for his efforts in boosting the health sector under his administration.
Jibril urged Nigerians to expect all the benefits of an effective health system like ultramodern hospitals and facilities, improved wages for doctors, insurance policies, amongst others under Bello’s Presidency.
Jibril said that governor Bello has achieved an effective and reliable heath system under his New Direction Government which he is ready to replicate in the country as President.
“For any country to function, three sectors are very key; One is the health sector, second is the education sector and third is the security sector.
“These are part of the basis we are gathering here today, to identify how we can improve the quality of our lives through the quality of medical services to our people.
“As a governor, he has been able to manage COVID-19 pandemic in a very miraculous way that we did not die as it was assumed it will be.
“As a governor he has been able to construct three ultra-modern hospitals, as a governor he is working on establishing the largest diagnostics Center in Nigeria, in West Africa.
“If as a governor he has improved and increased the salaries and wages of our medical doctors in the State, how much more should we expect if he answers the clarion call of Nigerians.
“My governor has identified the three cardinal ways we can improve on the quality of health of the nation;
“One is the manpower, I stand bold to say that Kogi is one of the states paying Medical Doctors’ salaries in the country.
“Secondly, is infrastructure. My governor out of his love and passion for the healthcare sector, has established three ultramodern hospitals, we call it reference hospitals across the three senatorial districts.
“And the insurance policies that enables civil servants enjoy medical services. These are part of the things we have been enjoying in Kogi State,” Jibril said.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the Summit, with the theme “Noncommunicable Disease in the COVID-19 Era. Cancer as a Case Study”, birthed the launch of the NIMSA Policy document.
The Policy document seeks to advocate for Medical Insurance and prevention of rape.
Jibril commended the Medical Students for developing a policy document, adding that it was a step in the right direction to get involved in the process of governance in the country.
He said that Youths and students can only get the desired change they have been clamouring for if they get their Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) and get involved in the process of governance.
“I want to encourage you as students to take two more steps bolder; the first is you have developed a policy, the next is to follow the policy and advance it to a bill for a National Assembly for it to be passed.
“Secondly is to get involved in the process of governance. It Is only then we can effect a change, that we can see that your policies are brought to action,” Jibril said.
NAN reports that the event was attended by Former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, Mrs Zainab Bagudu, Wife of the Kebbi State governor, and Dr Baba Ahmed, Proprietor, Baze University, amongst others.
Bello was also conferred with a Distinguished Leadership Award by the body.