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Kogi Government Hands Over Sites for Critical Infrastructure Construction at Prince Abubàkar University Teaching Hospital Anyigba (Photos)
The Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, represented by the Commissioner of Health, Dr. Adams Abdulazeez Adeiza, has officially handed over sites for the construction of critical infrastructure at the Prince Abubàkar Audu University Teaching Hospital Anyigba.
The projects include the construction of new classrooms, a library, a multipurpose medical laboratory, consultant offices, and the renovation of the existing clinical laboratory.
The governor emphasized that these facilities will enhance the institution’s capacity to deliver quality training to medical and allied health students, restore lost accreditations, and expand medical research and healthcare services.
The governor recalled the setback of losing accreditation for medical student training in 2015 but celebrated the success of students who graduated despite the challenges.
He reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to consolidating achievements and investing in projects that touch lives, drive development, and secure a brighter future for Kogi State citizens.
The governor urged the host communities to take ownership of public infrastructure, protect them, support government initiatives, and collaborate with contractors. He directed contractors to deliver quality work within the stated timeline in 2025.
The vice Chancellor of Prince Abubakar Audu University, Anyigba, Prof. Marietu Tenuche, expressed heartfelt appreciation to the Governor for his commitment to human capital development in the health sector.
The university is set to receive new classrooms, a library, multipurpose medical laboratory, consultant offices, and a renovated existing clinical laboratory.
Prof. Tenuche described this development as a “long dream come true” and highlighted the university’s efforts to revive the MBBS program, which was stopped in 2012. The university has introduced programs like Nursing Science, BSc Anatomy, BSc Physiology, BSc Medical Science Laboratory, and BSc Pharmacology to support the MBBS program.
The Vice Chancellor praised the pioneer medical students who excelled in other universities after losing accreditation for the MBBS program. For instance, three students from the University won 18 out of 20 awards, showcasing the potential of the university’s students.
She attributed the previous inability to commence the MBBS program to the lack of a teaching hospital, which was addressed by the provision of the Prince Abubakar Audu University Teaching Hospital by the state government.
Prof. Tenuche commended the Honorable Commissioner for Health for his commitment and focus on the project. Dr. Abdulazeez Adams visited the university, assessed the facilities, and assured the Vice Chancellor that the governor would provide the necessary support.
The swift action by the governor’s office, with engineers assessing the site just two days after the commissioner’s visit, demonstrates the government’s dedication to improving healthcare in Kogi State.
The Vice Chancellor thanked the governor and the commissioner for their support, citing the importance of healthcare in economic development, as “health is wealth.” The event marks a significant milestone in the university’s pursuit of reviving its medical programs and enhancing healthcare delivery in the state.¹
The Acting Chief Medical Director of Prince Abubakar University Teaching Hospital, Dr. Nayo Anthony, expressed gratitude to Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo for his commitment to healthcare development in Kogi State. He praised the governor for building on the legacy of his predecessor, Yahaya Adoza Bello, who initiated the medical school project.
The new infrastructure will enhance the hospital’s capacity to provide quality healthcare and support the medical program.
Dr. Oladele highlighted the hospital’s progress, including receiving medical consumables and equipment, expanding specialized treatment services, and establishing a functional histopathology lab.
The state government has also built an oxygen plant, which will supply oxygen to the hospital and other healthcare facilities in the local government area. Additional projects to set for construction include:
A Dialysis Center, Soon to be flagged off, to address the need for specialized care others are Maternal and Newborn Care Program in Partnership with National Health Insurance to provide care for vulnerable population equally Free Pre-Pregnancy Services would be made Available at PAUTH and other general hospitals in Kogi State
The Chief Medical Director commended the Honorable Commissioner for Health, Dr. Adams Abdulaziz, for identifying key healthcare challenges in Kogi State, including infrastructural gaps and personnel needs.
The ongoing project aims to address these issues by building infrastructure and producing skilled healthcare professionals. With these developments, the hospital is poised to deliver improved healthcare services, aligning with Governor Ododo’s initiative to revamp primary healthcare centers across the state.
Also speaking, The Provost of the School of Medicine, Dr. Akogu Simon, expressed joy and gratitude to the government and the university’s leadership for their commitment to the project. The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Marietu Tenuche, has been instrumental in driving the project forward, and her leadership has paid off with the realization of the MBBS program.
The project is expected to improve healthcare delivery in Kogi State and provide opportunities for students to pursue medical education he asserted.
The Executive Chairman of Dekina Local Government, Hon. Urah John, expressed gratituder to Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo for fulfilling his promise to bring the project to life. The project is expected to add value to the health sector in Kogi State,r and the local government pledges its loyalty and support to the governor’s administration.
Hon. John also appreciated the Honorable Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abdulazeez Adams Adeiza , and the management of Prince Abubakar Audu University, led by Vice Chancellor Professor Marietu Tenuche, for their efforts in making the project a reality.
The member representing Dekina/Biraidu constituency and chairman House committee one Health, Hon. Usman Ochidi expressed gratitude and joy, feeling vindicated after some people doubted the establishment of another investmentrd in the university.
He commended the governor for bringing life to the project, which will provide an enabling environment for medical students to be accredited. This development will add value to the health sector in Kogi State.
He noted that within the next 7-8 years, Kogi State will have a significant number of medical doctors, addressing the current shortage. The state government has announced plans to employ over 200 medical doctors, and this project will help meet that need. Hon. Ochidi praised the governor’s leadership and policy decisions, which are expected to make Kogi State a hub for medical education and healthcare delivery.
The Eje Dekina, Alhaji (Dr). Usman Obaje, represented by Alhaji Abu Shaibu Okolo, the Ogohi Onu Anyigba welcomed the Governor of Kogi State, Ahmed Usman Ododo, to Prince Abubakar Audu University. He expressed gratitude to the governor for supporting the university’s development.
The traditional ruler praised the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Marietu Tenuche, for her leadership and dedication to the university’s growth.
He acknowledged the governor’s role in providing a conducive environment for the university to thrive and appreciated his support for the institution’s development projects.
A representative of the the contractors, Zach Uhiani and Afan Nigeria Limited, anticipated completing the project before the end of the year.
“We are committed to meeting the expectations of the governor and commissioner, ensuring the laboratory’s excellence and functionality in line with the state’s healthcare development goals.”
The 2027 presidential election in Nigeria is shaping up to be a crucial contest between the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and a potential coalition of opposition parties. Several hurdles need to be overcome for the opposition coalition to succeed.
The political class is already preparing for this quadrennial event, holding consultations, meetings, negotiations, among other contending factors.
The ruling party, The All Progressive Congress, appears to be the most beautiful bride at the moment as members of other opposition parties have been courting the party, in a gale of defections, in what many political pundits and analysts described as a political tsunami.
While the APC seems to be enjoying the foray of defections by other party members into their fold, the main opposition party, The Peoples Democractic Party, PDP, appears to have lost its steam in the run of play.
The once dominant party is plagued by a series of internal crises which many political analysts believe will be the party’s undoings.
The once largest political party in Africa and oldest in Nigeria since it was created in 1998 by some elder statesmen, is now a shadow of itself, living in past glory and trying to win its way back to national prominence.
Already, some past and present leaders of the party have been consulting, negotiating, discussing, even though they have agreed yet, all in a bit to wrestle power from the stronghold of the Bola Tinubu-Led APC at the centre.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Former Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 General elections, Peter Obi, former Governor of Kaduna state, Nasir El-Rufai, among other bigwigs, are believed to be in talks with one another of how to build a possible coalition to edge the ruling APC in the power game.
Although, no concrete decision has been reached by the major actors, their negotiations and their inability to reach a consensus remain critical factors that might endanger the birth of a viable coalition.
Factors like who will step down for who as the realignment begins, remains a major issue, taking into consideration their individual experiences, exposures, skills, knowledge, capacities and egos.
Except this issue is resolved in the run up to the 2027 presidential polls, it will be a mirage for them to unseat the Tinubu-Led government.
While the running party is busy strategizing ahead of the 2027 presidential polls, the other parties are still grappling with their internal crisis.
Some analysts believe that Atiku’s past experience as Vice President under the regime of Olusegun Obasanjo, might give him an edge, while others think Peter Obi’s popularity in the South could bring a geographical balance to the ticket.
For them to form a strong force against the APC, then, they must find common platform and agree on a candidate, which might be challenging given their different ideologies and interest.
Other factors which some political analysts have highlighted that may pose as a stumbling block agents the coalition is the timing. The time between and 2027 is quite a short time for the coalition to gather and make the desired impact.
This of course, is no brainer. Any merger of alliance must be arranged within a reasonable timeframe to be effective. Also, the coalition will have to convince the Nigerian voting public of its purpose and demonstrate a clear vision for the country’s future, particularly in the area of addressing the economic misfortunes of majority of the people. Another hurdle that would be staring the coalition in the face remains the issue of power rotation.
While the south believe it’s that turn to complete their second term in 2027, the north on the other hand argue that they have been short-changed in the governance structure of the country – in terms of number of years – since the return of democracy in 1999.
Out of the total 26 years, the north has ruled for 11 years, with the south 15 years. The issue remains a key factor that would affect the coalition to birth.
The coalition, must as a matter of urgency, decency decide on this unwritten agreement about rotating power between the North and the South, potentially present a southern for one term to allow the South to complete its own two terms for the office of the president.
In conclusion, the coalition, if it really wants to win power in 2027, must make a compelling case for itself, highlighting its unique strengths and vision, rather than just criticizing the incumbent.
It needs to differentiate itself and show Nigerians that it has a better alternative.
Emeka Monye Is A Journalist And Works With ARISE NEWS.
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Mauritania’s Tah succeeds Adesina as 9th AfDB President
Tah was elected to succeed Adesina after rounds of voting conducted by the AfDB Board of Governors during the Bank’s Annual Meetings held in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.
Mauritania’s Sidi Ould Tah has been elected as the ninth president of the African Development Bank Group (AfDB) as Nigeria’s Akinwumi Adesina prepares to bow out.
The Bank announced his election on its website on Thursday.
Adesina’s 10-year tenure will end this year and Tah is expected to assume office on September 1, 2025.
Tah was elected to succeed Adesina after rounds of voting conducted by the AfDB Board of Governors during the Bank’s Annual Meetings held in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.
The Board comprises finance ministers and central bank governors from the Bank’s 81 member countries.
The Court of Appeal in Abuja has affirmed Monday Okphebholo as duly elected in the September 21, 2024 Edo Governorship polls, as it affirms the decision of the Tribunal which on April 2 dismissed the petition of Asue Ighodalo of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for lacking merit.
A three-man panel of the Appeal court, presided over by Justice Mohamed Danjuma, restated the position of the Tribunal which held that the PDP failed to provide sufficient and credible evidence to substantiate their claims of electoral malpractice, irregularities, and non-compliance with the Electoral Act.
The panel held that the PDP failed to provide sufficient and credible evidence to substantiate their claims of electoral malpractice, irregularities, and non-compliance with the Electoral Act.
The Appellate Court agrees with the Tribunal that the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) Machines which the appellants tendered were merely ‘dumped’ as they weren’t demonstrated to prove overvoting.
This the Court held after it earlier expunged the 133 BVAS machines admitted in evidence at the Tribunal stage of the Governorship tussle.
Ighodalo and the PDP were further faulted by the Appellate Court for failing to tender the voter register to prove overvoting.
The Court further adds that BVAS extract doesn’t constitute items with which to prove overvoting. It says the documents tendered by the PDP at the Tribunal did not, on their own, prove overvoting, non-holding or cancellation of elections at the polling units.
To further puncture the case of the PDP, the panel says the 19 witnesses called by the appellants during the Tribunal hearing didn’t help their case.
It says the majority of them did not witness what they spoke about. Moreso, it adds they were insufficient to prove irregularities in polling stations at over 4,000 locations.
Nigeria’s electoral body, INEC, had declared Okpebholo the winner with 291,667 votes, against Asue Ighodalo of the PDP who garnered 247,274 votes.
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