Bello promises sustained welfare for health workers,immortalizes first indigenous gynaecologist

By Correspondent in Minna

Governor Abubakar Sani Bello of Niger state has assured health workers in the state of continuef improvement on the welfare, to motivate them toward offering efficiency in service delivery to the people.

Governor Sani Bello stated this on Saturday at Idris Legbo Kutigi International conference centre, Minna at the memorial lecture/book lunch in honour of the first indigenous gynaecologist Dr. Ibrahim Babaminin Sule, who died about a year ago.

Dr. was also former Commissioner for Health in the state.

At the event, organized by the Islamic Medical Association of Nigeria (IMAN) Niger state Chapter, the Governor payed glowing tribute to late Dr. Sule, describing him as, ‘a pride to Niger state’.

He said the of the deceased would encourage more of such hard working a selfless medical personnel in the state,whose years in service remained a reference point.

The governor said his administration had given the Minna General Hospital a new look and increased its consultants from 2 to 33, besides other innovations, in a conscious efforts to boost the state health sector.

Sani Bello who said he inherited an almost dead health sector,described the late Medical Doctor as, ‘a man of integrity, honesty and a true professional who dedicated his service to God and humanity.’

He said it was because of track records of core professional traits and selfless service exibited by the late medical doctor that the ongoing Special Ward at the Minna General Hospital (annex) wad named after him,to encourage others to emulate him.

He recalled that he first met late Doctor Sule some years ago as former cabinet members during the administration of his predecessor, Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu and later appointed him (Sule) based on merit to head a committee charge with the responsibility of reforming the health sector by investigating unethical practices that led to deaths in public and private hospitals in the state.

The committee, Governor Bello further explained, was making in-roads to bringing about an end to such deaths by checking the activities of quacks and sharp practices, which include diversion of patients from public to private health facilities and recommended improved welfare for all health workers, among others.

“Late Dr. Sule, as Chairman, was to look at such issues and advise the government on how it could monitor and stop such illegal practices that led to avoidable deaths.

“Unfortunately he died before the conclusion of the assignment, we will however reactivate it.

“Eulogies and testimonies about the life and time of late Dr. Sule call for sober reflection, such that it would propel one to live good legacies behind that will stand the test of time when we are gone”, Governor Bello said.

In their separate remarks,the Speaker, Niger State House of Assembly, Hon. Abdul Bawa Wuse and the Chairman, Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers, who is also the Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, eulogized late Dr. Sule for life of commitments to service to Allah and humanity.

The author of the book, titled, ‘Ibrahim Babamini Sule- The Inspirational Humanist’, Professor Muhammad Kuta Yahaya, said that he was inspired to write the book from the tributes and eulogies that poured out at the announcement of the demise of late Doctor Sule.

Kuta, who was the Secretary to Niger State Government (SSG),however, expressed optimism that the book would serve as inspiration to younger and upcoming generations on the need to live a life of good legacies.

The former SSG also described late Dr. Sule as not only, ‘a straight forward person but also phenomenally caring, humble and an interesting personality that lived his entire working life with the fear of God and care for humanity.’.

The state Chairman of Imam, Dr. Muhammad Audi, had earliar told the gathering that late Dr.Sule, as his professional colleague, served meritoriously and mentored many who were fortunate to have worked with him.

The book which is a compilation of tributes and eulogies on the deceased was unveiled by Governor Abubakar Sani Bello, supported by his wife, who is also a medical doctor and the Estu Nupe and Chairman Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers, Alhaji Yahaya Abubarkar among other dignitaries from within and outside Niger state.