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Buhari’s Hypocrisy On Medical Tourism Unbearable – HURIWA

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Buhari Pays Condolence Visit To Families Of Kano Explosion Victims

“The president who has led Nigeria both as a military dictator and two terms now as elected civilian president and has so far spent 6th out of his final tenure should not be seen globetrotting in search of medical assistance for his personal medical challenges. The failure of President Muhammadu Buhari to use six years to fix the health infrastructure in Nigeria so as to stave off medical tourism that drains Nigeria of the much-needed foreign reserves is totally indefensible, reprehensible,  despicable and it is a shame to the nation that the president is even defending this immoral behavior.”

With the above words, the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has condemned the position of the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity Mr. Femi Adesina on why his principal travels oversees for medical tourism.

The rights group told him to stop deceiving himself thinking he is convincing anyone about a matter that exposes the ‘profound hypocrisy of his boss.”

HURIWA recalled that Adesina had reportedly revealed why his principal could not seek medical attention in Nigeria.

HURIWA said the media quoted Mr. Adesina as saying that his boss, President Buhari could not be treated in Nigeria because he has his own medical team in the United Kingdom.

According to Mr. Adesina, the president has used the medical team for over 40 years, hence the need to continue seeking medical help in the country.

READ ALSO: Buhari May Completely Wreck Nigeria Before 2023 -Northern Elders

HURIWA quoted Adesina as saying the aforementioned while defending Buhari’s frequent medical tours to the United Kingdom just as when asked why the president could not have been treated in Nigeria, Adesina told Channels Television’s Politics Today that “President Buhari has been with the same doctors and medical team for upward of 40 years. It’s advisable that he continues with those who know his medical history and that is why he comes to London to see them. He has used the same medical team for over 40 years. Once you can afford it, then stay with the team that has your history.”

In its reaction, the HURIWA said President Buhari’s continuous junketing at a huge expense to the public in search of private health issues is a demonstration that he is a collosal failure as a political leader because as far as medical history is concerned, the current Nigerian president is the only leader in any civilized democracy that travels outside his nation in search of medical treatment.
HURIWA said the globetrotting for medical tourism by President Muhammadu Buhari endangers national security and rubbishes national pride.

HURIWA added thus: “We recall that around June 2016, a eading Nigerian doctor had accused President Muhammadu Buhari of reneging on a promise to end ‘medical tourism’ by seeking treatment in the UK. Statistics show that Nigerians spent $1bn (£690m) on foreign medical trips in 2013, most of which unnecessary, said Dr Osahon Enabulele. Nigerian politicians were mostly treated by Nigerian doctors in the UK, “he added.”

HURIWA also cited news report attributed to Dr Enabulele, vice-president of the Commonwealth Medical Association, saying that it was a “national shame” that Mr Buhari went to the UK for treatment when Nigeria had more than 250 ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialists, as well as a National Ear Centre. President Buhari should lead by example by using Nigerian doctors and facilities, and ensure government officials do not go abroad on ‘frivolous’ medical trip.”

HURIWA quoted Dr. Enabulele  as revealing that the UK had more than 3,000 Nigerian-trained doctors, and the US more than 5,000, accusing the government of failing to address the brain drain by improving working conditions and health centres.

Buhari, had in a speech delivered on his behalf to the Nigeria Medical Association in April 2019, said the government’s hard-earned cash would not be spent on treating officials overseas, especially when Nigeria had the expertise.

Besides, the rights group said the president had personally condemned medical tourism which he claims drains Nigeria of resources just as HURIWA said it was hypocritical for the president to continue engaging in medical tourism.

READ ALSO: Buhari Signs N982b Supplementary Budget

In April 2019,Buhari had lamented that Nigeria loses over N400billion annually to medical tourism and urged stakeholders to join hands to find a solution to it.

The president urged  the course participants of the Senior Executive Course, SEC 41 of the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies, NIPSS, to provide solutions to issues that could close the gaps in the institutional, legal and policy frameworks for funding universal healthcare delivery for the good of the country.

HURIWA then said: “If Buhari is honest, he would have deployed the right resources since 2015 to fix the health infrastructures and even build a state-of-the-art medical centre to invite his British born medical doctors to relocate to Nigeria to avoid doing the same thing the President condemns. Also since 2015, the Nigerian National Assembly keeps voting billions of naira to fund the running of the presidential Clinics in Asorock but regrettable only few Months back the President’s Wife Aisha Buhari accused the management of the health facility in the president’s official complex of misusing the yearly budgets for the health institutions because according to her the clinics lacked common syringes.

We in HURIWA are shocked that the same president that makes heavy weather of fighting corruption has done nothing about this damaging allegation of corruption made by his Wife but only yesterday, the president an administered oath of secrecy on his staff in a bid to undermine the anti-graft crusade purportedly being carried out by the same government.”

 

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In Shakeup Of FCT Administration, Wike Sacks Agencies, Parastatals Heads

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BREAKING: Wike Dares Ayu To Stop Elections Of Ortom, Others
Federal Capital Territory Minister Nysom Wike

In a decisive shakeup of the administration of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), its Minister Nyesom Wike, has sacked the heads of 21 parastatals, agencies, and government companies.

This was disclosed in a statement by the Director of Press, Office of the Minister, Anthony Ogunleye, in Abuja on Wednesday.

Ogunleye identified the affected heads of the agencies as follows:

1. Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Abuja Investment Company Ltd

2. CEO/Managing Director, Abuja Markets Management Ltd

3. MD/CEO, Abuja Urban Mass Transport Company

4. CEO/MD, Abuja Property Development Company

5. CEO/MD, Abuja Technology Village Free Trade Zone Company

6. CEO/MD, Abuja Film Village International

7. CEO/MD, Powernoth AICL Equipment Leasing Company Ltd

8. MD, Abuja Broadcasting Corporation

9. MD, Abuja Enterprise Agency

10. General Manager, FCT Water Board

11. Director-General, FCT Emergency Management Agency

12. Executive Secretary, FCT Primary Healthcare Board

13. DG, Hospital Management Board

14. Director, Abuja Environmental Protection Board

15. Director, FCT Scholarship Board

16. Director, FCT Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board

17. Director, Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board

18. Coordinator, Abuja Infrastructure Investment Center

19. Director, FCT Health Insurance Scheme

20. Coordinator, Satellite Towns Development Department

21. Coordinator, Abuja Metropolitan Management Council

The director of the press said that the affected appointees should hand over the affairs of their offices to the most senior officers in rank.

He added that appointments in the offices would be made in due course.

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Abiodun Urges Prayer For Nigeria At Eid-El Maulud

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Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun

Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, has urged Muslims across the country to offer prayers for the peace and prosperity of Nigeria on the occasion of Eid-El Maulud.

In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Lekan Adeniran, the Governor emphasized the need for Nigerians to come together and pray for the country’s progress, unity and development.

Governor Abiodun also called on Muslims to emulate the virtues of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), which include love, tolerance, peace, and humility.

He urged Muslims to use the occasion of Eid-El Maulud to reflect on the teachings of the Prophet and strive to live a life of righteousness and selflessness.

The Governor expressed his commitment to providing good and effective governance to the people of Ogun State as he called on Muslims to continue to support his administration and pray for its success.

Eid-ElMaulud is a Muslim holiday that commemorates the birth of Prophet Muhammad (SAW). It is celebrated with prayers, fasting, feasting, and acts of charity and generosity.

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You Are A Shining Light In Christendom, Abiodun Tells Oyedepo At 69

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Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun

Ogun State Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun has described the founder of the Living Faith Church Worldwide, Bishop David Oyedepo, as a shining light in Christendom.

He described the bishop as a great man of God and an educationist worth emulating.

Abiodun stated this in his goodwill message to mark Bishop Oyedepo’s 69th birthday.

The governor, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Lekan Adeniran, praised Bishop Oyedepo’s commitment to God, saying he daily motivates his congregation and the larger society to live a purposeful life in accordance with God’s plan.

“Your teachings have transformed the lives of many and have shaped the destiny of our nation.

“As a preacher, you exemplify excellence and have been a source of inspiration to many. Your commitment to the spread of the gospel has not only brought salvation to countless souls, but it has also helped shape the moral fabric of our society,” Abiodun said.

He said that through his involvement in the education sector, the man of God has succeeded in producing many scientists, bankers, lawyers, administrators, among others, adding that one of his universities has consistently been ranked among the best in Africa.

The governor also commended Bishop Oyedepo’s humanitarian efforts, particularly through the David Oyedepo Foundation, which provides scholarships, medical and entrepreneurial support to thousands of people.

“I am grateful for your contributions to the development of Ogun State, particularly in the area of education. Your investment in Covenant University and other educational institutions in the state have greatly impacted the lives of our youth and have helped to raise the standard of education in the state,” Abiodun said.

He prayed that God will continue to bless Bishop Oyedepo with good health, wisdom, and divine guidance as he continues to impact lives and fulfil his divine mandate.

Abiodun prayed for God’s continued blessings and guidance upon the bishop, as well as for more years of impactful service to humanity.

“Once again, I wish you a happy 69th birthday, and I pray that God will grant you many more years in good health,” Abiodun concluded.

Bishop David Oyedepo, who is also the Chancellor of Covenant University and Landmark University, was born on September 27, 1954, in Omu Aran, Kwara State, Nigeria.

He founded the Living Faith Church Worldwide, also known as Winners’ Chapel, which has grown to become one of the largest Christian denominations in Nigeria and the world at large.

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