News

Need For Professional Bodies Involvement In National Development Emphasised

Published

2 years ago

August 25, 2023

… NMA Challenged To Interrogate Guber Candidates On Healthcare Sector

By Joseph Ebi Kanjo, Benin

The President, World Medical Association, WMA, Dr. Osahon Enabulele, has emphasized the need for professional bodies involvement in Nigeria’s bid to get to the right track of development.

He made the statement at the 70th birthday of a medical practitioner, Professor Dominic Osayande Osaghae, and his (Osaghae) books launch held at Doctors’ House, Benin, Yesterday.

The books: Re-inventing the Nigerian Medical Association: From Crisis to Peace’, and ‘Footprints on the Sounds of Time‘ are authored by the celebrant, Prof. Osaghae.

Enabulele, who was the chairman of the occasion with the theme ‘The Role of Professional Association in National Development’, said no nation can get it right in terms of development without allowing professional bodies to play critical roles.

Lamenting that most often professional associations are not given the right place in national development plan, the WMA President said: “National development is not all about the president; it is not all about the governors, but it involves everyone. Nigeria cannot advance if we do not play out roles as Nigerians. Professional bodies must be fully carried along in our quest to get it right.”

He added: “No matter the strategy put forward, if a development plan is not based on human capital development and other indices of socioeconomic development, then such strategies and plans may not yield the desired results.”

On the celebrant, the Chairman of the occasion said: “He stands for progressive ideas, stands for justice and anything good. He has contributed immensely to the development of the medical profession and the nation in general.”

In his keynote address, a former Commissioner for Health in Edo State, Dr. Wilson Imongan, said the role of professional bodies in national development cannot be overemphasized, adding that “the professionals provide industry insight that directly affects the economic development of the country.”

According to him, “The professional bodies bridge the gap by applying technical knowledge to solving societal development challenges.

He added: “They help politicians initiate policies and legislation. Professional bodies need visibility so that they can form a robust and cordial relationship with government for collaboration.”

He challenged the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Edo State branch, to interrogate those seeking political offices even as the Edo State governorship election draws nearer.

He said: “Edo State has governorship election coming, the NMA must not wait for candidates to lead the discussions. It is most important to start the discussion now. The NMA must set up an Ad-hoc committee to come up with a blue print for the politicians in the healthcare sector for effective healthcare delivery.

“None of the candidates is talking about health because they have no business there. So, the NMA must start the interrogation now”

News

Edo To Dredge Ikpoba River For Revenue, Flood Control

Published

13 hours ago

July 3, 2025

Editor

Edo State government has proposed the dredging of Ikpoba River to curb flooding and exploring potentials for enhancing revenue generation in the state.

The state Commissioner for Mining, Hon. Andrew Ijegbai, disclosed this when he led a delegation on an inspection of the river in Benin City.

According to him, the initiative was to find a lasting solution to the incessant challenges of flooding and river overflow on the busy road.

He added that his team was on the ground to assess the condition of the river to get a firsthand observation of its impact on communities near its bank.

Also speaking, Director of Mining in the ministry, Mr. Omoruyi Ihianle expressed the state government’s determination to turn challenges into successes.

He stated that the primary objectives of the project were to generate revenue for the state government through mining and to mitigate flooding in the host communities.

“As a government, we have found a way of converting our challenges until success.

“As a result of the silted river channel, the host communities have been suffering from flooding, hence the Edo State Government is stepping in to desilt while raising revenue for the State Government,” he said.

News

JUST IN: Ex-Eagles Goalkeeper, Peter Rufai, Is Dead

Published

15 hours ago

July 3, 2025

Editor

Peter Rufai, the former Super Eagles goalkeeper, has died.

Waidi Akanni, a former teammate and associate, confirmed the legendary goalkeeper’s death to TheCable on Thursday.

Rufai, affectionately nicknamed Dodo Mayana, died at 61 after a reported battle with long-term illness.

The Super Eagles of Nigeria also announced the demise of the former goalkeeper on the team’s official X account.

“Forever in our hearts, Dodo Mayana. We mourn the passing of legendary Super Eagles goalkeeper, Peter Rufai, a giant of Nigerian football and a 1994 AFCON champion,” the post reads.

“Your legacy lives on between the sticks and beyond.”

Rufai is regarded as one of the best football goalkeepers Nigeria has ever produced. He was the Eagles’ first-choice goalkeeper when Nigeria won the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

He also represented Nigeria at the 1994 FIFA World Cup in the US and the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France.

Rufai had over 60 caps for the Super Eagles over the course of a decade with the team.

News

AMCON Sells Ibadan DisCo For N100bn

Published

19 hours ago

July 3, 2025

Editor

The Asset Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON) has announced the sale of the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) for N100 billion.

AMCON’s Managing Director/CEO, Gbenga Alake, disclosed this at a media parley on Thursday.

Apart from IBEDC, AMCON also manages other distribution companies, including the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC), Benin Electricity Distribution Company, Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company, and Kano Electricity Distribution Company.

Alake said, “Today, I announce to you that Ibadan DisCo has been sold. When we came in, it had already been sold, but we renegotiated the price and got almost double of what it was initially going to be sold for.”

Regarding ongoing legal issues, Alake stated, “We have sold it, and whatever is still happening in court, we will face it.”

However, officials of IBEDC did not respond to inquiries about the sale.