Why should I bother myself with what is done to my body when I die? Oyomesi (the council of seven high-ranking chiefs in the Oyo Empire) knows what to do with my body!” That was what immediate past Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi 111, told me in his palace, a few weeks before he journeyed to Ibara – where Oyo buries its kings. He was furious with Ogun State traditional rulers. His grouse was with the Obas and Chiefs Law of 2021. That law has aberrant stipulations that are repugnant to tradition and customs. One of them is the provision stipulating that traditional rulers can be buried according to their religious dispositions. The Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona, who recently passed, initiated it. The bill sought to make “a law to provide for the Preservation, Protection and Exercise by Traditional Rulers of their fundamental rights to be installed and buried according to their religions or beliefs and for other related matters.” In 2022, Governor Dapo Abiodun became the pall-bearer of this sacred, even if mythical, ritual of traditional burial of kings transmitted from our forebears.

To fortify institutions and systems that they revered, our forebears curated a number of taboos, myths, wise-sayings and social mores which served to make them distinct in everyday relations. An ancient saying that explains the secrecy of their kings’ burial is, “it is a taboo (èèwò) to bury the initiate the same way you bury a non-initiate.” It is one of Yoruba’s ancient aphorisms which escaped into the modern time. Though modernity has afforded us opportunity to see those inherited myths as mere decorative palm fronds (màrìwò) on a masquerade, they are the pillars upon which Yoruba traditional institution stands.

On Tuesday last week, as I stepped into the Obafemi Awolowo Auditorium of the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) Ondo State, I was confronted with two choices. Before me were traditional rulers of immense renown. They gúnwà-ed (pardon my inflection for their royal sitting) in their ancient majesties. The Olowo of Owo and Chairman of the State Council of Traditional Rulers, Oba Ajibade Gbadegesin, Ogunoye III, was there. He reminded me of one of his mythical predecessors, Sir Olateru Olagbegi, KBE. The Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade Aladelusi, whose stool parades lustering pedigree of great kings like the British-trained lawyer, 42nd Deji, Oba Ademuwagun Adesida, was there. The king of my village, Ilu Abo, and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Oba Olu Falae, was there. And many others. They were all gathered for the 10th coronation anniversary colloquium of the Deji. The topic for discussion was, “Role of Nigeria’s Traditional Institutions in Nation Building: Impediments and Prospects” and I was one of its three discussants. The options before me were binary: Give the Kabiyesis the platitudes they were used to, or tell them the absolute truth they needed to know? I chose the latter.

So, I began. The traditional institution parades a great pedigree. Today, however, the traditional institution is at its lowest ebb. Seldom regarded, kings would seem to have lost their relevance and sacredness. Entrance into the institution has been generally bastardized. Money dictates who becomes king and in the process, illegitimates and dregs of society get smuggled into the system. An Oba is known to smoke marijuana. The bulk of them are land-grabbers who make money from the tears of their people. We now have kings who are ignorant about the customs of their people. I once heard a thoroughly confused Oba introduce himself as “Oba Assistant Pastor” on television. The most annoying part of it is the ease with which they repudiate the customs and myths surrounding their offices. The latest is the funeral of the late Awujale of Ijebuland. A few days ago, Kabiyesi, one of the most revered monarchs of Yorubaland, was buried like an ordinary mortal and soldiers prevented traditionalists from having a hand in his burial. As I spoke, there was pin-drop silence. While many felt I was audacious in the presence of the Irunmole, some agreed that our fathers needed to hear the gospel truth. “The traditional institution must redeem itself if it wants to be taken seriously,” I concluded.

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In an interview Oba Adetona granted before his death, he cavalierly disdained the traditional institution. A valiant man who stood staunchly against General Sani Abacha, in that interview, Awujale exposed virtually all the sacred innards of Yoruba kingship. For instance, the cult of secrecy preceding installation of Yoruba kings got massively shellacked by the Awujale. “What we did in seclusion is nothing secret. We were just there making merry and enjoying ourselves while relatives, friends and other well-wishers come around to visit and rejoice with the king. What is the fortification they are talking about? …Where were the traditionalists you talk about then? And what rites are you referring to? I cannot recall any rite that was done behind the scene. Let them come and tell me. It is all lies. Nothing like that. They even tell you that they give the heart of a deceased Oba to the new one to eat! They are crazy…I didn’t eat anything oooo. So, no such thing happened,” he said.

This was the very first time I would see a Yoruba king expose and explode the myths of the centuries-old traditional institution. By their very definition, myths are lies. You will find many of Yoruba ancient myths in German editor, scholar and writer, Ulli Beier’s book with the title, Yoruba Myths (1980). Andrew Apter of the Yale University, in his journal article entitled, “The Historiography of Yoruba Myth and Ritual” History in Africa, Vol. 14 (1987), pp. 1-25, said of it, “Myth is… a false reflection of the past” or a “testimony of the past in oral societies”.

Several other myths were curated to fortify their kingship system. Yoruba needed to differentiate their kings from ordinary mortals. Their aim was to invoke dread, respect and an eternal relevance for the system. One is that, kings’ heads are not to be seen by ordinary mortals. The rationale is that, if every Tom, Dick and Harry sees and touches their kings’ heads, it deconstructs them and the overall system. Again, in the process of carving immortality for their kings, Yoruba compare them to the gods, “igbá kejì òrìsà” and say their kings do not die. So, if they don’t die, a taboo was then needed to literally demonize sighting the corpse of an Oba. Like Christians did to mythologize their founding patriarch, Jesus Christ, the Yoruba also created and surrounded their kings with myths. It is a taboo, for instance, to say an Oba dies but appropriate to use the euphemism, “Oba w’àjà” – he ascended up through the rafters. Obas’ exits are not announced like mortals’ but with elements of sacredness and sobriety. As Christians are not allowed to query the non-empirical claim of their patriarch’s birth and anyone who does so is a social outcast or an atheist, the Yoruba do not take kindly to attempts to remove the ancient shawls surrounding their kings.

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Myths were essential to the ancient Yoruba people. Many of them are found in palaces. For instance, if you enter the palace of the Alaafin of Oyo today, you must remove your shoes, sandals and slippers. It is said that it is a taboo not to. No one has ever been let into the repercussions of dissension. Until recently, no one shook the hands of an Oba. Oba Lamidi Adeyemi was lucky. As he aged, providence, the designer of his visage, decorated his face with dread. You couldn’t look at Oba Adeyemi’s face without a dread running down your spine. You would assume you were looking at the frightening face of a lion. As close as I was to him, whenever I was in his presence, rather than his face, I looked at my feet.

All the above make attempt by traditional rulers in Ogun State, in concert with their governor and legislators, to commonize the burial of their kings, a cultural heresy. Some other parts of Yorubaland have also partaken of this despicable heresy. All Yoruba of goodwill must get Dapo Abiodun and his co-travelers on this journey to retrace their steps. It is a calamitous journey. Obas must go through the seclusion rites of Ipebi and must be buried according to the tradition they willingly subjected themselves to. It is called traditional rule, not modern rule. The burial of Oba Lipede, the Aláké Egbaland, some years ago, was going to end up a calamity but for a momentary recourse to reason. In Ogbomoso, the body of Soun, Oba Ajagungbade III, was subjected to a despicable act of public viewing. Ibadan people seem to have made this desecration of their Obas’ bodies an art. They did it with the bodies of two previous Olubadan who ‘w’àjà’-ed, Oba Saliu Adetunji and Oba Lekan Balogun. The two Obas’ bodies were carted round and about like skinned goats from the abattoir. The greatest calamity would have befallen Yorubaland when Aláàfin Adeyemi ‘w’àjà’-ed and Islamicists attempted to bury him like an ordinary mortal. It took the firmness of Sango cult adherents to stop the drift. They instantly stopped the madness.

I have heard canvassers for the modernization of traditional institutions talk about the dynamism of culture. Yes, I agree, culture is not static and should not be resistant to change. However, as I said earlier, the glue that holds that institution in this age of modernity is the survival of those ancient myths. Without them, kings lose their differentiation from all of us. Come to think of it, why are so-called kings this cowardly that they are afraid of what becomes of their bodies which would be consumed by maggots anyway? Even an atheist, Dr. Tai Solarin, asked that his body parts should be given to medical students for anatomical studies.

At the Deji of Akure’s 10th coronation, the Olowo of Owo came to the rescue of the institution of his forefathers. He told anyone not ready to take the heat to steer clear of the kitchen.

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Still talking about burials, the passage of President Muhammadu Buhari has elicited diverse comments. To start with, I do not agree that when a person dies, regardless of the evils they commit while on earth, they should be sacralized. I began canvassing my opposition to this view, said to have been inherited from our past, long time ago. For eight good years of Buhari’s reign, I made my views of him available to all. The summary is that he was a disaster. In saner societies, his kind should never come near the dais of responsible governance. Today, many Nigerians queue where I stand.

Last week, President Bola Tinubu harvested the proceeds of Buhari’s death. I enjoyed his graveyard politics and diplomatic burial shuttles to Daura and Kano last week, ostensibly in pursuit of the mythic 12 million CPC votes said to have been sequestered in the hands of Buhari. More importantly, I hope Tinubu reckons with the lessons in his predecessor›s sudden death? One is that, you cannot sow tears and sorrow and expect a debased, pummeled and traumatized people to garland your corpse with deodorants as elegies. Apart from Tinubu and his graveyard politics crew, Nigerians literally pelted Buhari’s body with pellets at his departure.Tinubu should use this lesson to review his policies and find ways of making the rest of his life count in favour of the people. In the same vein, our traditional rulers should have a rethink. Most of them seem to have, by their conduct and proclamations, borrowing from the lesson from an ancient old anecdote, shown the fox that the crown on their cock›s head holds no fire. If we continue to label our beautiful calabash ‘pankara’, what South Africans call wanzagsi – a broken calabash – we should not be surprised if the ignorant elect to pack their dirt with it.

The Edo State deputy governor, Hon. Dennis Idahosa says the All Progressives Congress (APC) is a party whose internal workings and decisions are guided by its constitution and rules.

He noted that the ruling party operates within the bounds of Nigerian law and respects democratic principles.

According to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Friday Aghedo, the deputy governor made these assertions on Saturday while fielding questions from newsmen during the conduct of the party’s primary for the Ovia federal constituency bye-election scheduled for August 16.

While commending the people for their peaceful disposing during the primary, expressed excitement that true internal democracy was at play for the primary.

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The deputy governor who cast his vote at Iguobazuwa West, Ward 2,
declared that “APC is leadership driven political party.”

He noted that the exercise was peaceful and well coordinated in all the wards visited by him.

Highlighting the uniqueness of his ward, he said, “This is my ward, Iguobazuwa West Ward 2. Voting here was impressive as a mammoth crowd endorsed Omosede.

“We await results of the 23 Wards that make up Ovia Federal Constituency, which consists of the two Ovia local governments.”

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Idahosa declared that the conduct of the primary marked a benchmark in Ovia federal electioneering process based on the voluntary withdrawal of other aspirants to make way for the emergence of Omosede, as the sole candidate.

This stand, he noted, was based on the fact that Igbinedion, a formee member of the Green chamber, stood a good chance with present political data showing a shortfall of the female gender in the political terrain.

“This brought up the need for gender inclusiveness, as there are presently no female candidates representing Edo state at the National Assembly,” he stated.

Simirlarly, a member of the party’s national electoral commitee, Jafaru Leko, declared that the process was “smooth, organized and credible.”

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Also, the chairman of the primary in the federal constituency, Barr. Lucky Ajokperiniovo, who announced the final results of the primary conducted in 23 wards that make up the federal constituency.

He declared Igbinedion, the sole candidatw for the primary, the winner haven polled a total vote of 5819.

“With this aggregate score in the two council areas, Gabriella Omosede Igbinedion is hereby announce as the winner of the primary and the party’s candidate for the bye-election,” he stated.

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It would be recalled that the Ovia federal constituency seat became vacant following the election of the former holder, Dennis Idahosa, as the deputy governor of the state.

Igbinedion, then member of the Peoples Party, was the occupant of the Ovia federal constituency seat in the 8th assembly.

She was defeated by Idahosa while seeking reelection in the 2019 general elections.

The London Clinic, one of the United Kingdom’s most exclusive private hospitals, has come under the spotlight following the death of Nigeria’s former President, Muhammadu Buhari, at the facility last Sunday.

Buhari and former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, were both admitted in the hospital. While Abubakar got well and was discharged, Buhari passed on Sunday, July 13, 2025.

According to his nephew, Mamman Daura, Buhari was in high spirits as of Saturday, July 12 and was getting ready for discharge before he suffered a relapse at midday on Sunday.

“I left him about 9 pm on Saturday in high spirits and promised to see him on Sunday afternoon. He was looking forward to his doctor’s visit on Sunday morning. But around midday, he started having breathing challenges and doctors rushed to his side to try and manage it. But unfortunately, around 4.30 pm, he gave up the ghost,” Daura said.

Buhari was reported to have travelled to the UK in April for a routine medical check-up, but subsequently fell ill.

The cause of death was not disclosed, but he had suffered from ill-health for many years.

According to family sources, Buhari, during his admission at The London Clinic, spent time at the Intensive Care Unit.

His death was announced by his former spokesperson, Mallam Garba Shehu, on Sunday afternoon.

Shehu said, “The family of the former president has announced the passing of the former President, Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, this afternoon in a clinic in London. May Allah accept him in Aljannatul Firdaus.”

Shortly after news of his death broke, videos emerged online showing the former President’s children and other relatives visiting The London Clinic, situated in the heart of London’s medical district on Harley Street, where he was reportedly undergoing treatment before his passing.

While the exact duration of the former President’s stay at the hospital remains unknown, reports indicate that Buhari had been in London since April for a routine medical check-up.

The London Clinic

Founded in 1932, The London Clinic is one of the largest private hospitals in the UK, best known for its expertise in cancer care, digestive health, orthopaedics, and plastic and cosmetic surgeries.

From the information on its website, the facility boasts 13 intensive care beds, 10 operating theatres, five Macmillan Cancer Support Centres, approximately 900 surgeons and physicians and attends to over 120,000 patients across the world annually.

The hospital’s areas of speciality include: cancer care, haematology, orthopaedics with a focus on spinal surgery, as well as gastroenterology, general surgery, ophthalmology, ENT, neurosurgery, robotic surgery, minimally invasive surgery, and intensive care.

The London Clinic has treated thousands of patients from around the world, among them political leaders and members of the British royal family.

In the hospital’s 2021 annual financial report seen by The PUNCH, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Hamish Leslie Melville, said, “Our team of over 900 leading consultants, surgeons and physicians provide an extensive range of medical and surgical interventions. Our medical inpatient and outpatient treatments focus on three core areas: cancer therapies, general surgery with a focus on digestive diseases, and musculoskeletal conditions.”

Speaking with The PUNCH on condition of anonymity for personal reasons, a UK-based Nigerian doctor familiar with the hospital’s operations, described it as one with advanced facilities, a high-profile clientele, and world-class medical expertise.

According to him, patients pay between £100 and £750 for consultations, depending on the complexity of their case.

The Nigerian doctor, who said he knew two fellow Nigerian doctors who once worked at the hospital, said he is aware that a Computed Tomography scan (CT Scan) at the hospital costs around £500, while major surgeries range from £10,000 to £13,000.

“In terms of accommodation, the pricing structure is also tiered. A standard room goes for £1,000 to £1,800 per night. Luxury/VIP room is between £1,800 to £2,500 per night; while the Intensive Care Unit admission costs about £3,000 to £3,500 per night,” he said.

“The clinic is known for its advanced equipment, specialist services, and highly qualified professionals. It’s a facility designed for complex and high-risk cases,” he added.

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The doctor said the two respected Nigerian specialists who used to work at the hospital were an orthopaedic surgeon and a respiratory consultant.

Another UK-based Nigerian doctor told Saturday PUNCH that the hospital’s high standard of care comes at a premium.

According to the female doctor, the clinic caters mainly to the super-rich, adding that patients are charged thousands of pounds daily for specialised services, particularly in intensive care and private suites, where discretion, luxury, and top-tier medical attention are guaranteed.

“It is the best and largest private clinic in the United Kingdom. It deals with surgery, robotic surgery, ENT surgery, plastic surgery, and the best in specialised services,” she said.

She added that the hospital is equipped with advanced da Vinci Xi, ExcelsiusGPS, NAVIO robotic surgical technology, 3 T Siemens MRI, multiple CT scanners, PET-CT, ultrasound, digital mammography and other cutting-edge diagnostic systems.

In terms of staffing and expertise, the doctor said, “The clinic boasts an impressive roster of professionals with renowned specialist consultants, many of whom are Fellows of the Royal College of Surgeons and hold additional high-level certifications.”

However, according to a study by the National Institutes of Health seen by Saturday PUNCH, the cost of a bed space at the general ward is around £586.59 per bed day.

“These costs may not include other potential fees or charges associated with your specific treatment plan,” the report noted.

Speaking about its ICU, the clinic, on its website, said, “Our Standard Mortality Rate averages around 0.7 which the Critical care Peer Review states ‘would put the unit in the top 10% of the country’ and has consistently maintained low death rates all of which are reviewed at Mortality and Morbidity Meetings within the clinic.”

It added that, “Patient Experience feedback continues to demonstrate 95-100% satisfaction with their treatment across the MDT with numerous comments and compliments mentioning excellence in staff attitude, caring, compassionate, along with recognition of speciality surgical support and rehabilitation.”

Findings by ThePUNCH showed that The London Clinic has provisions for international patients whose treatment is sponsored by their governments, embassies, or companies.

While the Federal Government has not confirmed whether it covered the cost of Buhari’s treatment in London, the Remuneration of Former Presidents and Heads of State (and Other Ancillary Matters) Act requires the government to provide for the medical expenses of former presidents and their immediate families. This provision covers treatment both within Nigeria and, when necessary, abroad.

High-cost medical tourism

In 2021, President Buhari approved the construction and equipping of a 14-bed Presidential (VIP) Wing of the State House Clinic, in the Presidential Villa at the cost of N21bn.

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As of March 2022, the government said it had disbursed N10.06bn for the construction of the N21bn of the clinic.

While briefing the Senate Committee on Federal Character and Intergovernmental Affairs, the Permanent Secretary, State House, Tijanni Umar, said the clinic was 80 per cent completed.

Umar added that the project would be delivered by the end of December 2022 or latest during the first quarter of 2023.

But despite this, Buhari’s successor, President Bola Tinubu, has continued to embark on foreign medical trips, mostly to France, gulping millions of naira in public funds.

Tinubu’s first known medical trip to France occurred shortly after his election in March 2023 when he was flown to the country for treatment following a period of strenuous campaigning.

However, findings by Saturday PUNCH revealed that he Federal Government may have spent at least N13.4bn on international medical trips and travels for former Presidents Muhammadu Buhari, Goodluck Jonathan, and Umaru Musa Yar’Adua over a 16-year period.

The bulk of the spending, drawn from annual State House allocations between 2007 and 2022, covered dozens of foreign hospital visits and diplomatic engagements across at least 40 countries.

Buhari, during his eight-year reign, spent at least 225 days outside the country on medical trips, visiting no fewer than 40 countries since 2015.

Eight months after assuming office, the former President embarked on his first medical trip to London, United Kingdom, on February 5, 2016, spending six days.

His second medical trip followed four months later, on June 6, 2016, during which he spent 10 days treating an undisclosed ear infection.

On January 19, 2017, Buhari embarked on his second longest medical trip to London, spending 50 days away.

In May of the same year, barely two months after his last trip, he returned to London for what became his longest medical stay, lasting 104 days.

He did not return to the UK for medical purposes again until May 2018, when he spent four days on a follow-up review.

In March 2021, Buhari once again departed for London on what the Presidency described as a “routine medical check-up,” which lasted 15 days.

His departure came amid a labour crisis in the health sector, during which members of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors commenced an indefinite strike over unpaid allowances.

Almost a year later, on March 6, 2022, the ex-President travelled to London again for medical reasons. This time, he spent 12 days.

On October 31, 2022, Buhari departed from Owerri, the Imo State capital, to London for another medical check-up that lasted about two weeks. He returned to the country on November 13, 2022.

Former presidential spokesman, Femi Adesina, consistently defended Buhari’s foreign medical trips, stating that he “has used the same medical team for about 40 years.”

In a recent interview following Buhari’s death, Adesina argued: “If he had said I’d do my medicals in Nigeria just for show off or something, he could have long been dead.”

In total, Buhari embarked on 84 trips to 40 countries during his time in office.

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Between 2016 and 2022, the State House allocated a total of N6bn for his international travels, a good number of his foreign trips were for medical engagements.

However, Buhari was not the first Nigerian president to spend lengthy periods abroad for medical or diplomatic purposes.

The late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua embarked on at least four foreign medical trips to Germany and Saudi Arabia, along with a major working visit to the United States.

Over his 32 months in office, he spent a total of 109 days overseas receiving treatment.

Between 2007 and 2009, the State House allocated N2.4bn to international travels under Yar’adua’s administration, part of which he spent on medical needs.

Goodluck Jonathan, who succeeded Yar’adua, also undertook numerous foreign trips between 2010 and 2015.

In 2012 alone, he spent at least 45 days outside Nigeria, travelling 18 times to various destinations across Europe, Asia, North America, and South America.

Over the five years, he spent in office, the Federal Government allocated a total of N4.9bn to fund his international travels and transport.

NMA, MDCAN, NARD kick

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Medical Association; the Medical and Dental Consultants’ Association of Nigeria, and the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors have criticised political leaders for consistently seeking medical care abroad while neglecting the country’s healthcare system.

Speaking with Saturday PUNCH, the President of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors, Dr Tope Osundara, described the trend as not only disheartening but an indictment on Nigerian leaders’ investments in the sector they are expected to strengthen.

Osundara expressed disappointment that Nigerian leaders continue to patronise foreign hospitals despite annual budget allocations to domestic medical facilities like the State House Clinic.

“It’s more like building a company, investing resources in it, then refusing to use the product and telling others to trust it. It tells you that something is fundamentally wrong with the system, with the people entrusted with managing it.

“There was a time when the former president, Muhammad Buhari made some utterances that they should abolish this medical tourism. But unfortunately, before he died, he was even at the forefront of going abroad for treatment. Even a former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, disclosed that he and Buhari were admitted to the same hospital in London shortly before Buhari passed away. This tells you that Nigeria’s healthcare system is in bad shape.”

The NARD President said it was ironical that Nigeria was advocating universal health coverage while the country’s leaders “are not patronising the facilities that you have.”

“You are telling people to come and buy something, and you are not taking those things that you are advertising to people. So, that means you are giving them poison; because if you are not giving them poison, you should be able to swallow those pills, and that is when people can trust you,” Osundara said.

The NARD President also criticised Buhari’s ex-spokesperson, Adesina, over his recent remarks.

“It’s unfortunate that such utterances came from someone who served as the media aide to the late President. When you say Buhari would have died if he used a Nigerian hospital, you are indirectly saying Nigerian doctors are incompetent. That’s a false and dangerous narrative,” Osundara said.

He recalled that during Buhari’s administration, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo once fell ill and was treated successfully in Nigeria.

“We have competent professionals who can provide adequate care, whether in the private sector or in public hospitals. If those in the corridors of power cannot trust the very system they are building, it raises serious questions about why medical tourism continues despite all the advocacy against it,” he added.

He said failure to trust and fund the health system in the country not only demoralises healthcare workers but also fuels brain drain, adding that “Nigeria is losing billions to foreign hospitals. Instead of building capacity here, we’re subsidising other nations’ healthcare systems with our taxpayers’ money.”

On his part, the President of the Nigerian Medical Association, Prof. Bala Audu, emphasised that while individuals are free to seek care wherever they choose, the consistent reliance of public office holders on foreign hospitals despite Nigeria’s budgetary allocations to domestic healthcare speaks volumes about misplaced priorities.

He said, “Healthcare is a personal matter, and people follow their doctors wherever they go, even across borders if they can afford it. But when public officials entrusted with strengthening our health sector consistently opt for foreign hospitals, it raises serious concerns. It shows a lack of faith in the very system they are supposed to be building and sustaining.

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“We need to restructure our public hospitals to reflect three key issues. Firstly, personnel. There is a need that government concentrates on doctors and nurses. If these two categories of healthcare providers are in place, you don’t have a problem. Secondly, we need equipment and equipment maintenance. Number three, the entire workplace environment should be made conducive for doctors and nurses to work.

“Nigerian doctors and nurses are working tirelessly. There are doctors who work, and stay in the hospital for seven complete days, working 24 hours. The same thing with our nurses.”

Reacting to Adesina’s comment, Audu noted that his remarks inadvertently demean Nigerian healthcare professionals.

“If his (Adesina) implication is that you live longer just by going abroad, then that’s not just unscientific, it’s deeply offensive to the many competent Nigerian doctors and nurses saving lives every day under difficult conditions,” he said.

Audu noted that Nigerian healthcare professionals are globally celebrated for their expertise and work ethics, especially when given proper tools.

“The issue has never been about competence. Nigerian doctors and nurses are among the best in the world. The real problem is the lack of adequate infrastructure and equipment, particularly in public hospitals,” he added.

On his part, the President of the Medical and Dental Consultants’ Association of Nigeria, Prof. Muhammad Muhammad, has said that while leaders and citizens alike retain the right to seek treatment abroad if they choose to do so, it is ideal for Nigerian hospitals to be upgraded and equipped to handle all forms of medical care.

Muhammad emphasised the need for consistent government investment in local health infrastructure, nothing that every citizen should be able to access the full range of medical services required for their condition.

“What we are saying is that there should always be effort from the side of government to ensure that people who are citizens are made to be able to access all the levels of healthcare services their health would require.

“The government should provide the equipment and facilities we need here, and if they advocate against medical tourism, they should stay here to receive treatment,” he said.

He called on the Federal Government to not only strengthen public hospitals but also to support the growth of private super-speciality facilities within the country.

“The Federal Government should, in addition to developing government hospitals, create an enabling environment where super-speciality private hospitals can be encouraged to develop, so that the limitations of government hospitals can be overcome by private hospitals,” he said.

He also urged the government to adopt strategies used in countries like India and Egypt, where deliberate support, such as tax waivers, import duty exemptions, and accessible funding, has helped private hospitals grow into globally recognised centres of excellence.

According to him, such investments would reduce foreign exchange losses, boost employment, and enhance local healthcare delivery.
(PUNCH)