News Editor
By David Odama
The Former Director General of the National Orientation Agency NOA, Dr Mike Omeri has lauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving the conversion of Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital (DASH) Lafia to Federal University of Lafia (FULafia) Teaching Hospital.
Dr Omeri, while describing President Ahmed Bola Tinubu’s action in a statement as ‘bridging the health sector gap in Nasarawa’, said the takeover and conversion of the Dalhatu Specialist Hospital DASH Lafia would provide for the upgrading of additional primary and secondary health facilities, medical and hospitals services being provided by some citizens of the state
According to the former NOA DG, Nasarawa State would live to remember the first military administrator, Wing Commander Abdullahi Ibrahim who conceived the establishment of the present Specialist Hospital even when his foresight for the state came under heavy criticism with stiff resistance at that time.
While commending the President for his role in ensuring that the dream of the state having a teaching hospital become reality, he noted that Nasarawa state can now boast of having additional health facilities that would address the health need of the people in addition to aiding medical research and training.
To effectively compliment the FGN gesture, Omeri called on the state government to fully embrace the community health insurance scheme being pursued by some individuals including that being undertaken by Hon David Emmanuel Ombugadu and others for a robust and affordable health benefit to the people of the state.
“I want to commend President Ahmed Bola Tinubu for approving the conversion of the Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital (DASH) Lafia into the Federal University of Lafia (FULafia) Teaching Hospital.
“ Having a Teaching Hospital in the State will improve on the health status of our people and will bring speedy development to the State in the areas of medical research and training of specialists.”
He stated further that the establishment of Teaching Hospital in the State will generate interests for the study of medicine and the training of medical personnel, especially doctors and nurses, medical health administrators among others to boost the wellbeing of people as well as enhance socio-economic activities in the State.
Omeri who further called on the people of the State and Nigerians to embrace unity, peace, love and tolerance at all times advised that “We should always put our leaders on their toes by holding them to account for our votes no matter how they got them else doom is our next nature.” When people are not voted for and they find themselves in power, they will lie, purnish people and plunder their wealth. Therefore, let’s pray and hope that our future will not be demented and we are not sourly discouraged.”
