The positive contributions of both Alhaji Adamu Atta and Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello to health care services in Ebiraland, that can not be forgotten.
By Otori Ozigi.
The importance of accessible and affordable health care services in the life of any community can not be overemphasized.
Ebiraland have so far produced three State governors between the first republic and the present democratic dispensation till date.
The first Ebira man to become an executive governor of a state was late Alhaji Adamu Atta, who was the first executive governor of the old Kwara state
His administration is credited with the development of Ebiraland in several sectors, namely health, education and infrastructure before the end of his highly successful tenure in office.
One major defining moments of his administration was his giant strides in the health sector of Ebiraland.
Alhaji Adamu Atta constructed iconic projects like the first ever specialist hospital in Ebiraland situated in Obangede, the headquarters of Okehi LGA, Kogi State.
The hospital recorded massive patronage from the entire Ebiraland, before it was rudely dismembered by the government of Alhaji Abubakar Audu, the first civilian governor of Kogi State,who callously stripped the hospital naked by transferring some basic equipment to his home town.
Recall too that the government of Alhaji Adamu Atta also gave birth to other cottage hospitals in Ihima, Okene, Okengwe and other communities in Ebiraland before the end of his tenure in office.
That was the edifying history of the development of the health sector in the land which was replicated during the 8 years reign of Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello.
It is a legacy of purposeful leadership from one generation of visionary leader to another, worthy of emulation and celebration today by all well meaning people in the community and beyond.
Under the administration of Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello,he successfully put the health sector in Ebiraland on the world map, by bequeathing a world class medical edifice, namely Reference Hospital Okene, Kogi State, Nigeria.
The hospital today is enjoying good patronage from the good people of Ebiraland and beyond.
Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello also constructed 100 bed mother and child hospital, located in Iruvuochinomi, Adavi Local government area of Kogi State to cater for the immediate and general interests of the host community and beyond.
He also upgraded the cottage hospitals in Okengwe, Obangede, Ajaokuta and others located across the five local government areas in Kogi central.
Recall too that his administration also paid adequate attention to the School of Nursing and Midwifery located in Obangede,by expanding the structure of the school to enhance the level of learning and office accommodation in the school.
Viewed against this background, therefore,it is expected that the present administration of Alhaji Ododo Ahmed Usman would consolidate on this edifying history and evolution of adequate health sector of his predessesors in office.
There is a pointer to the effect that he would not disappoint in this direction.
Recall that he singlehandedly constructed and equipped a cottage hospital located in Upogoro town, while he was the Auditor General of Local governments, Kogi State between 2016 and 2023.
Indeed, Ebiraland is blessed with patriotic and nationalistic leadership trajectory, who are health conscious and visionary in thinking.
God bless the soul of Alhaji Adamu Atta, the pacesetter.
God bless Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello, the silent performer.
God bless Alhaji Ododo Ahmed Usman, the consolidator and beacon of hope.
God bless the good people of Kogi central.
Otori Ozigi,a veteran journalist and PR Consultant writes from Okene, Kogi State
08073295000–SMS only.