News

Japa: Doctors Proffer Solutions At Tinubu Town Hall

Published

2 years ago

February 11, 2023

A number of medical professionals have tabled viable solutions for the next administration to use as a workable strategy to resolve the perennial problem of brain drain plaguing the health sector.

The brain drain phenomenon, which was rechristened as ‘Japa’, has seen a generation of young health workers, tech entrepreneurs and a number of professionals dumped Nigeria as a result of insecurity, corruption, failed leadership and several other factors.

Speaking at a medical town hall meeting on BAT Health Agenda in Abuja on Saturday, a medical doctor and serving lawmaker representing Ogun Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Dr. Lanre Tejuosho, explained that ‘Japa’ is a problem any serious government can tackle.

While stating that he is happy that the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has indicated tackling ‘brain drain’ as one of his priorities in his ‘Renewed Hope’ manifesto, he said the problem can be resolved if the right policies and initiatives are implemented.

Tejuosho, who is also the pro-chancellor of University of Lagos, told our reporter that if the president and the health minister are willing to tinker with the idea of allowing doctors to be self employed, it will go a long way in tackling brain drain.

According to him, having the feel of ownership of over 30,000 Primary Health Centres and knowing that they are in charge of drugs procurement, provision of water and power would give doctors, nurses and other health workers a sense of belonging.

“We should try to think in the direction of making all our health professionals self-employed. When I say self employment, I am talking about taking advantage of the over 30,000 Primary Health Centres in Nigeria today.

“Let’s say, as you graduate as a medical doctor or as a senior nurse, you are put in charge of that particular health centre. We will allocate to that centre about 10,000 Nigerians that are already insured in terms of health insurance.

“That means the money to run the place is guaranteed because the monthly allocation from National Health Insurance Scheme of the 10,000 patients attached to that centre will be able to pay the salaries of the staff including the nurses and the doctors.

“With that, they should be able to also maintain the drugs, water, electricity and basic needs of those centres. I am aware that the NHIS pays around N750 per patient every month.

“If we sum this figure up with 10,000 patients, it should give each centre about N7.5m per month. Let it be given to these doctors and nurses to run.

“Of course, we know not all the 10,000 patients will come to the centre every month. But you will always have money to run PHC,” he said.

When reminded that the plan looks good only on paper, the UNILAG Pro-Chancellor agreed that implementation of the initiative is paramount.

Tejuosho claimed that as Chairman of Senate Committee on Health, it was one of those ideas he has been pushing for the attention of the Federal Government and health ministry.

He said, “That is why I am telling you that the implementation is key. It is part of what we are here to talk about. It is part of what Asiwaju as president must pursue with the implementation of that Health Insurance Act. This is my idea that I will be proposing to him. It is not in the Act or any law.

“As Chairman of Senate Committee on Health, I have been saying this for a long time. We will also make sure that there is enough money in the basket. It’s now a matter of making it practical.

“We have the infrastructure, give it to the medical doctors. Our doctors abroad will come back because they won’t be making that kind of money in London or other part of the world.

“All we need to set up is a monitoring committee that will ensure that we monitor what these doctors are doing. Anyone that doesn’t perform, we will take it from them and give to another person.

“In no time, doctors from London and other places will be queuing to come and be self employed.”

The Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr Faisal Shuaib, on his part said he has nothing against doctors, nurses and other health care sectors are leaving the country in droves.

He, however, encourage the incoming president to upgrade the health sector including a better pay package that would appear irresistible to even those who dumped the country for prospects abroad.

Shuaib also canvassed that the incoming administration should focus on special arrangements for doctors and health workers on annual leave abroad to return to the country to share their expertise and help in technology transfer.

“We need to stop the one-way traffic. There is nothing wrong with people wanting to seek greener pastures abroad.

“What we need to put in place measures that will make sure that they also give back to Nigeria where they are trained.

“In a lot of instances you find in countries with similar situations as ours, their professionals abroad actually remit a fixed amount of money back to their home countries.

“And this is something that is agreed with the host countries so that we always find people come in bringing resources.

“It should also be done in a way that is well organised. We don’t even have adequate doctors and nurses in the health care sector.

“It’s not about saying that people should not go. Focus should be also be on how to encourage them to come back, even if it is during their annual leave.

“They can come back and also give back to our health sector some of the advanced technologies, advanced capabilities that they’ve learnt,” he advised.

Appreciating the participants and speakers at the town hall, the APC PCC head of Medical Directorate, Dr. Ikechukwu Odikpo, noted that he observed many Nigerians are not particularly asking questions on what Tiinubu presidency has to offer.

According to the medical doctor, healthcare as presented in his principal’s manifesto covers critical areas such as human resources, brain drain, health tourism, infrastructure, universal health care and health financing.

“That is why today we have assembled the very best across Nigeria medicare to dialogue on how to better our health care sector and services.

“But we want Nigerians especially Medicare professionals and our youths to be part of our actions and decisions hence this town hall meeting.

“When health is absent, wisdom cannot reveal itself, strength cannot fight, intelligence cannot be applied, art cannot become manifest and wealth becomes useless.

“Let’s create a wealthy nation by putting our health care services in the right perspective,” he said

News

Osun Monarchs Donate Air-conditioners, Computers To Support NUJ’s E-Library Project

Published

55 minutes ago

July 5, 2025

Editor

Traditional rulers in Osun state have put their weight behind the project of E-Library, embarked upon by the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, OSBC Chapel, with the donations of Air-conditioners Computer systems.

The announcements were made during an inspection tour of the E-Library, named after the Olowu of Kuta Kingdom, Oba Hameed Adekunle Oyelude Makama Tegbosun, at Ile-Awiye, Oke Baale, Osogbo; where Oba Makama announced the donation of four Air-conditioners, in continuation of his support as the Life Patron of the chapel.

Chapel chairman, Comrade Lateef Agboola in rapt attention to instructions from Olowu of Kuta Kingdom, Oba Hameed Adekunle Oyelude Makama Tegbosun during the inspection tour.

In his royal message, the Eburu of Iba, in Ifelodun Local Government Area of the state, Oba (Prof) Adekunle Okunoye Adeogun also pledged the donation of Six units of Computers, as his own way of supporting the noble cause, in solidarity with his royal colleague.

Other monarchs on the entourage of the Olowu of Kuta, including Oba Ismaila Gbadamosi Fabunmi (Olaa of Ajagunlase); Oba, (Dr.) Kazeem Adio Orioye (Onigege of Igege) both in Olaoluwa Local Government Area of the state, Oba (Dr.) Alamu Moshood Oparonke (Onisara of Feesu Kingdom) in Iwo Local Government Area, Oba Musibau Adebayo Akinloye (Oori of Oloori) and Oba Femi Idowu (Olaota of Ilota) both in Ayedire Local Government, as well as Oba Adekunle Omolola (Oniraan of Iran) in Ayedire Local Government, and Oba Waliulah Azeez Alabi (Olu of Lahan) in Olaoluwa Local Government Area, all pledged to support the project in solidarity with Oba Tegbosun.

Other eminent personalities and groups on the entourage of the Olowu of Kuta included Chief Ogundeji Eleuibon; the Big Brothers Club of Osun; Responsible Ladies Group, Nigeria Youth Council leadership, Online Media Owners Association, YMLF Osun as well as the Olowu-in-Coincil, among others. They also pledged their support to complete the E-Library project.

Olowu of Kuta Kingdom, Oba Hameed Adekunle Oyelude Makama Tegbosun in group photograph with Responsible Ladies Group.

In their separate remarks, the Board Chairman of OSBC, Engr. Mayowa Olosho, and the Director-General/Permanent Secretary of the media conglomerate, Mrs Jolaade Igbaroola, appreciated the royal fathers, eminent personalities and groups for deeming it fit to support the project, which many believe is first of its kind in the history of NUJ.

Earlier, the chairman of NUJ, OSBC Chapel, Comrade Lateef Agboola, had explained that the vision of his predecessors to start the project many years ago, was to make the chapel a hub of information and reservoir of knowledge.

He added that, when completed, the E-Library will serve not only the members of the union, but also other people who might need necessary information to back up their research works.

He, therefore, pledged the resolve of his administration to make the library functional before the end of July 2025.

News

Burna Boy Turns 34, Reveals Plans To Start A Family

Published

4 hours ago

July 5, 2025

Editor

Grammy-winning Nigerian singer, Burna Boy, celebrated his 34th birthday in style, and the festivities took an intimate turn when he shared his thoughts on starting a family.

According to the singer, he’s now considering having kids, citing his advancing age as a reason to settle down.

Burna Boy revealed that a conversation with oil magnate Jowizaza sparked this newfound desire.

News

Cherryland, Unifield, Divine Pattern Schools Shine At ITV 2025 Quiz, Debate And Essay Competition

Published

14 hours ago

July 5, 2025

Editor

Winners in the various categories.

By Joseph Ebi Kanjo, Benin

Cherryland Royal School, Divine Pattern Schools, and Unifield International School, on Friday, 4th July, 2025 won the Independent Radio and Television 2025 Interschool Quiz, Debate and Essay Competition in their respective categories.

The Essay Competition, with the topic: ‘There has Been a Growing Incidence of Gambling Amongst Youth in Your Country. Write an Article Suitable for Publication in a National Newspaper Stating Three Probable Causes, and Suggesting how this Problem can be Cured,’ was won by Oghogho Triumph of Divine Pattern Schools, while Eczema Praise of Cherryland Royal School emerged winner in the debate category with the topic: ‘The Youths of Today Are More Interested in the Pursuit of Pleasure than in Academic Work.’

The quiz, which was competed by primary pupils from various schools was won by Victory Ighotomare of
Unifield International High School.

Winners in the various categories in group photograph with the management of ITV/Radio

Earlier, in his opening remarks, Chairman of the occasion and Deputy Chief of Staff to Edo State Government (office of the deputy governor), Hon. Pius Alile, while recalling his primary school days, pledged scholarship to university level for winners in the various categories.

Alile urged the students and pupils to desist from social vices and face their studies, stressing that it’s through education that they can actualise their dreams in life.

In his short remarks, Managing Director, ITV/Radio, Engr. Elvis Obaseki, urged the students and pupils present at the event to face their studies, and above all be disciplined and well behaved.

He stressed that no matter how a student may be brilliant in life, such a student needs discipline to navigate through the journey of life, adding “no matter how intelligent you are, you must be well behaved and disciplined. This will take you far in life.”

The MD, who told the students and pupils that they cannot all be winners at the same time, said being present at the event, they are expected to take one or two lessons back home from the event.

Engr. Obaseki, who said “it’s not too good that none of our public schools are here,” promised, “next year, we will make everything humanly possible to bring our public schools so that the competition will be more interesting and fierce.”

Also speaking, Chairman, organising committee of the event, Dr. Sunny Duke, while expressing joy at the large turnout of schools in this year’s competition, thanked the management and staff of ITV/Radio for their support, and in particular the Esama of Benin Kingdom, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion for creating the platform (ITV/Radio) through which young ones can actualise their dreams.

He also thanked the chairman of the occasion, Hon. Alile for offering the winners in the various categories scholarship, stressing that it has been his prayer and wish.

“Where I am today is because of the scholarship I won in JSS 2 back then. And today, that ambition and dream has been fulfilled with the scholarship for the winners of the quiz, debate and essay competition by Hon. Pius Alile, I’m overwhelmed,” Duke said.

The event was spiced up with dance competition amongst students and pupils, and on the other hand amongst teachers, and other side attractions.