Provision of dividends of democracy not partisan – Buhari
By Prosper Okoye –
Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari has assured that the provision of dividends of democracy in his government to Nigerians will not be shrouded in party affiliations.
He gave the assurance, today at the official commissioning of the 120 bed Muhammadu Buhari Mother & Child Hospital in Makurdi, Benue State. A project facillated by his administration under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“I do not desire to leave any Nigerian behind in my quest to provide a better living condition for all and that is why the establishment of this centre, like all other intiatives, are devoid of party affiliations.
Represented by the Secretary of the Federal Government (SGF), Boss Mustapha, he said “Today’s commissioning is a glowing testament to the global community that Nigeria is putting and will continue to put children at the heart of the SDGs.
Secretary of the Federal Government (SGF), Boss Mustapha, commissioning the newly built hospital, assisted by Deputy Governor of Benue State Engr Benson Abounu, Minister of Special Duties and Inter Governmental Affairs, Sen. George Akume
“The provision of the Mother and Child Centre will help to strengthen efforts by the Benue State Government to continuously provide quality healthcare services for mothers and children, thus a key prionty for the SDGs and human capital development.
“Equally important are the trickle-down effect this Centre would bring to uplifting the livelihood of the immediate community especially women who would be food vendors around the vicinity, reduction of unemployment in medical, Para medical as well as other support staff” saying this will in no doubt reduce the rate of unemployment in the host state.
While commending the Office of the Senior Special Asistant to the president on SDGs and her team for the tireless efforts to ensure Nigeria keeps scoring high in SDGs he also thanked the Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, for giving a date for the commissioning of the project. He called on all sons and daughters of Benue State to show interest by joining hands together with him as he works conscientiously to rebuild Nigeria after the devastating effect of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In his address, Governor Samuel Ortom commended President Mohammadu Buhari for yielding to the request made by the state government on her dire need for a Specialized Hospital for Maternal and Child Healthcare Services.
“The State Government on its part has not rested on its oars to ensure seamless execution of SDGs Projects in the State. From the year 2015 to 2017, the Benue Sate Government contributed the sum of N1,450,000,000.00 as Counterpart contribution to SDGs Projects in the State” he said.
The governor represented by his deputy, Egnr Benson Abouno, revealed that the Mohammadu Buhari Mother and Child Hospital will be linked with the Benue State University Teaching Hospital Makurdi for better productivity.
While lamenting the poor living conditions of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in camps appealed to Development Partners to support the state in addressing the plight of IDPs to render support that would uplift their living conditions pending when it’s safe for them to return to their ancestral homes.
Speaking, Senior Special Asistant to the President on SDGs, Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, said the facility was an intervention of SDGs in the area of health. She commended President Buhari for his support to ensure the needed interventions reach all Nigerians. She hinted that a doctor’s and nurse’s quarters is will soon be built to support the facility.
Earlier, in her welcome address, Senior Special Asistant to the state Governor of Benue State on SDGs, Magdalene Dura, commended the SDGs intervention in the state in various areas and appealed that the Fg should not relent in his welfare package to the state.
