Former governor of Niger State, Babngida Aliyu, former Minister of Information, Prof. Jerry Gana, and Senator Abdulahi Sabi have been some of the critical stakeholders, who expressed support for the establishment of the proposed University of Medicine and Health Sciences at Bida.
In their separate presentations on the proposal and other health related Bills before the House of Representatives committee on health institutions at the National Assembly on Thursday, they described the move as timely, and will aid growth of the Nigerian health sector.
“It is time for us to earn our foreign exchange through the health system, instead of us traveling around the world”, Aliyu stated as he called for the establishment of such training institutions in all the geopolitical zones of Nigeria, while Prof. Gana appealed for immediate passage of the Bill.
Sponsor of the Bill and vice chairman of the committee on finance, Hon. Musa Abdulahi said It is on record that Niger State is the only state in North-Central Nigeria that has no degree awarding institution in medicine and health sciences.
“The current situation is unacceptable considering the strategic importance of Niger State in the scheme of events in the country. Aside being the largest state in the country with 76,363 Square Kilometres, accounting for about 10 percent of the nation’s total land mass, Niger State is home to Nigeria’s major hydroelectric power stations, the Kainji Dam, Shiroro Dam, and Jebba Dam as well as the Zungeru Dam which is currently under construction.
“It therefore goes without saying, that paying attention to the place of education of our people in today’s fast changing world of globalization, information and communication technology becomes inevitable,” he said, noting that with an existing Federal Medical Centre and a school of nursing in the town, the federal government may not need too much for take off of the proposed institution.
Also in their submissions, Minister of Health, Prof. Osagie Ehanire, and CEO of the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Ishaku Oloyede, cautioned that while there was need for such training institutions, care must be taken to avoid undue proliferation.
Declaring the event open earlier, Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila’ who was represented by the deputy whip, Hon. Nkiruka Onyejiocha, the hearing was to offer stakeholders the opportunity to contribute their experiences and perspectives on the proposals.