Why I sponsored bill for establishment of FMC Fufu – Cook Olododo

By Mike Adeyemi

A member representing Ilorin East/Ilorin South Federal Constituency at the House of Representative, Hon. Abdulganiyu Cook Olododo has said the urgent need to improve on the existing health facilities alongside accessibility to health care delivery in Nigeria, spurred him to sponsor the bill for establishing Federal Medical Centre, Fufu, National Pilot learnt.

Olododo stated this  recently while delivery his speech during a public hearing on the bill that seeks for the establishment of the proposed health care centre held on the floor of the house.

The lawmaker said the outbreak of covid-19 pandemic all over the world and over stressing efforts on our health facilities in Nigeria shows the need to improve on the available health facilities hence the need to establish more facilities.

“I want to acknowledge the people from Ilorin, our Daudu, Ba’ale and the chairman of IEDPU northern branch here present. Today, it  is very important to me as a member representing my people.

“Today’s public hearing of the bill for an act to establish of Federal Medical Centre, Fufu – Kwara State is an historic moment, not only for the good people of my constituency, Kwara state, but Nigeria as a whole, ” he noted.

Continuing, ‘it is globally acknowledged that health is pivotal to the developmental growth of individual in particular and nation at large.’

“It is incumbent on any serious nation to place adequate attention to the development of it health care sector. Target 3 of sustainable development goal which is good health care and wellbeing development of any nation is also measured by the health quality and wellbeing of its citizenry.

“There is no doubt not withstanding the various efforts of our nation over the years and in particular under this administration, in the health sector in ensuring every Nigerian enjoys good health care delivery.

“There is still many challenges hindering the progress and still making it difficult to achieve desire goals. Among these challenges facing health sector is that, health delivery in Nigeria is inadequate.

“Accessibility to health care is essential to health care delivery in Nigeria and this among others reasons that moved me to sponsor this bill for the establishment of medical facilities to be known as Federal Medical Centre, Fufu in my constituency, “Olododo stressed.

He noted that the bill which has scaled through the first and second reading if passed will principally proffer the establishment, management board, appointment of medical board among others.

“The bill has  passed through legislative processes of first and second reading that is now at public hearing stage which is what we are doing now. This bill principally proffer among other thing with establishment of management board, appointment of members, appointment of medical doctors and other staff.

“It is interesting to note that Fufu where the medical centre is proposed to be sited is the headquarter of Ilorin South local government area of Kwara state which is within my constituency.

“I want the chairman of the committee to note the people of the community and other neighboring communities are faced with various challenges in producing adequate health care delivery resulting lack of quick accessibility to health care facility.

“It is my humble conviction that the bill when passed to law will not only provide good health care service to the people of immediate host community and environs, but to Nigeria as a whole.

“It will also create job opportunity as well as increasing the economic activity in the host community. I therefore personally appeal to all the stakeholders here present to make beautiful and robust contribution with a view to enhance passing of this bill,” Olododo affirmed.