With recent happenings, those calling for monitoring and regulating the use of social media may, after all, be right. It has become the vogue to use social media to tarnish hard-earned reputations under the guise of freedom of speech, forgetting that where your freedom ends is where someone else’s begins.
A recent report in the media space asking the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barrister Nyesom Wike, to probe his appointment of a veterinarian as the permanent secretary of the FCTA Health and Environment Secretariat is laughable and a desperate craving for cheap publicity.
There is no rule that says only medical doctors must head the secretariat.
It will be recalled that similar opposition arose during the Ibrahim Babangida era when Pharmacist Julius Adelusi was appointed as minister of health. Medical doctors collectively opposed the appointment and called for his replacement with one of their own. However, the administration swiftly dismissed their claims, reminding them that pharmacists are also integral to the medical field and that the head of government reserves the right to appoint whomever he believes is most capable of delivering results.
This resistance from medical doctors was not unique to the health sector. When the late Akinyele Benson was appointed minister of sports, critics questioned his qualifications because he openly admitted knowing little about sports. Despite this, his leadership proved exemplary, outshining expectations of professionals in the field.
Similarly, there were murmurs when Prof. Dora Akinyuli, a pharmacist, was appointed as minister of information. However, she silenced critics by excelling in her role and leaving an indelible legacy.
Thus, it is not surprising to see this pattern repeated with Dr. Baba-Gana Adam’s appointment, as critics, particularly some medical doctors, raise unnecessary concerns.
Indeed, Wike deserves commendation for his judicious selection of permanent secretaries for the various Mandate Secretariats in the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).
For the first time under the Wike administration, permanent secretaries were appointed, and in his quest for excellence, he selected highly qualified individuals, ensuring most of them were square pegs in square holes, professionally suited for their roles.
By appointing the first crop of permanent secretaries, the Renewed Hope Agenda of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration is firmly on the right track in the FCT.
This baseless media war against selected permanent secretaries, including Dr. Baba-Gana Adam, is therefore unnecessary and inconsequential.
Instead, there is a need to commend the minister for prioritising competence and for providing unwavering support to ensure a strong foundation for the secretariat’s operations.
Under Wike’s leadership, the FCTA health sector has made remarkable progress in delivering healthcare services to grassroots communities in the nation’s capital.
Competence, capability, and capacity should be the watchwords in public service, principles that Dr. Baba-Gana Adam has reinvigorated since his assumption of office. Under his leadership, the secretariat has witnessed the resuscitation of the Drug Revolving Services Fund monthly meeting, which had been abandoned prior to the appointment of Ezenwo Wike, CON, as FCT minister. Dr. Adam also initiated the review and enforcement of technical committees to ensure they function according to laid-out plans and guidelines.
Furthermore, billions of naira owed to drug suppliers, which had been withheld by the previous administration, were approved for payment by the minister, showcasing the administration’s commitment to strengthening healthcare delivery and fostering trust in the system.
For the purpose of this write-up, we shall focus on the FCT Health Services and Environment Secretariat, where Dr. Baba-Gana Adam has been named the pioneer permanent secretary.
Whatever anyone may say, Dr. Baba-Gana Adam came prepared for the job. As a seasoned veterinary doctor with over three decades of experience in public service, he has demonstrated competence and commitment to improving healthcare delivery in the FCT.
On assuming duty, Baba-Gana expressed gratitude to Wike for appointing him and vowed to make a difference by advancing the secretariat’s goals in alignment with the Tinubu administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
His proactive response to the cholera outbreak in parts of the city center is a testament to his focus and dedication.
The federal government’s commitment to revitalising the health sector is evident from the launch of the National Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII) and the endorsement of the Sector-wide Compact by President Tinubu, the 36 state governors, and the FCT in December 2023.
In line with this, the FCT Health Services and Environment Secretariat has emphasised the importance of medical palliatives, recognising their critical role alongside food palliatives in addressing the nation’s challenges amidst limited resources.
Dr. Baba-Gana Adam also highlighted the significant achievements under Wike’s leadership, including improved funding, conducive work environments, and securing accreditation for Postgraduate Medical Residency Training Programmes.
He commended the minister for his steadfast commitment to training a highly skilled health workforce, continuous hospital improvement and expansion, and the implementation of the Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF), which has significantly boosted staff morale and success rates in postgraduate medical training.
Dr. Baba-Gana noted that Wike, often referred to as “Mr. Projects,” is focused not only on infrastructure but also on building sustainable systems to improve health outcomes.
Who is Dr. Baba-Gana Adam?
Born in Maiduguri, Borno state, he had his early education at Yerwa Central Primary School and Federal Government College, Maiduguri. Adam pursued tertiary education at the School of Basic Studies, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna state and the University of Maiduguri.
Dr. Adam is a seasoned public servant with extensive experience spanning over three decades in areas such as Logistics Planning, Research & Statistics, Project Monitoring & Evaluation, Outdoor Advertisement & Signage, and City Management.
Since joining the FCTA in 2002, he has held several leadership roles, including at the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) and the Parks and Recreation Department.
As the immediate-past record-setting director of the Department of Outdoor Advertisement and Signage, he oversaw critical operations, including the one-stop-shop vetting and permit processing of Masts & Towers in the FCT.
Dr. Adam’s contributions to urban renewal, beautification, and environmental services have been widely recognized. He is a recipient of numerous awards, including the FCTA Merit Award for Outstanding Performance and the Nigerian Institute of Management Fellowship Award.
Certainly, since his appointment as permanent secretary, the secretariat has raised its performance bar. Collaborating with the Mandate Secretary, Dr. Adedolapo Ayokunle Fasawe, Dr. Baba-Gana Adam is poised to make significant strides in advancing health services in the FCT.
Indeed, Minister Wike deserves commendation for prioritising competence and for identifying the best talents from over 44,000 employees in the FCTA to lead its critical sectors.
