Lokoja
The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Kogi chapter, on Wednesday, commenced the construction of a befitting Secretariat with 300 seating capacity hall comprising several offices, many years of its existence without such edifice.
Duaglobalnews recalls that NMA came into being in Nigeria in 1960.
The building, which will be called ”NMA House” is situated on Hassan-Katsina road close to CBN, Zone 8, Lokoja, Kogi State.
Speaking to newsmen at the ground breaking and foundation laying ceremony, the NMA state Chairman, Dr Kabiru Zubair, said that the association had always dreamt of building its secretariat, but had not been possible until now due to some constraints.
According to Zubair, the current Exco is building on the achievements of previous Exco by mobilizing resources to commence the secretariat despite the dwindling economic fortune of the state and the country at large.
He stressed that the dwindling economic fortune had been made worsened by the global pandemic of COVID-19.
”As the current Exco members of the association wind down their activities, it is hoped that wherever we stop, subsequent Exco should be able to take the project to completion.
”As we lay the foundation, today, we wish to appreciate all who have contributed in one way or the other to ensure that we are able to get to this stage,” Zubair said.
The Kogi Commissioner for Health, Dr Saka Haruna Audu, who performed the foundation laying, commended the exco and entire members of NMA in Kogi for” the wonderful project.”
Audu lauded NMA members for their cooperation and collaboration with Kogi State Government through the state Ministry of Health, saying, ‘it has been very cordial in the recent time.”
”In this kind of atmosphere, the only event that will dominate the affairs will be accomplishment like this because with peace, there is nothing you cannot achieve.
”I really want to commend the current exco for being able to kick-start an age long desire of NMA Kogi chapter, as it has been the continuous effort of the previous exco.
”I will notify His Excellency, Gov. Yahaya Bello, about this development because in his usual gesture, you know what can come out of such notification.
”I want to appeal to NMA that as I have been part of the foundation laying ceremony today, I also want to be part of the commissioning of the project within the next three years,” he said.
The commissioner expressed joy that such project came up during the tenure of the governor.
He also noted that NMA in the state had come of age to the extent of hatching the idea of building a befitting secretariat to be referred to as’NMA House.’
Audu restated the committeement of the state government to support “the wonderful effort of the very courageous, skillful and resilient group of doctors.”
He also assured the association of his personal contribution to facilitate the rapid development of the project.
”We will continue to cooperate and collaborate in such that the Kogi health sector can be taken to a new height. This is a thing that truly delights my mind,” he said.
In his vote of thanks, Dr Oluwamayowa Kassim, Chairman, Building Committee, thanked the commissioner for honouring their invitation, out of his tight schedule.
”We appreciate you for your ability to come and honour this occasion. We believe in your word that very soon, all the promises made to NMA will be fulfilled,” Kassim added.
