I’m troubled by Nigeria’s challenges, says Abubakar

Former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, has said he is worried about the various challenges confronting Nigeria.
The former military leader spoke yesterday in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, at the inauguration of the city’s renovated general hospital.
He said: “As someone who has watched our country triumph over a civil war and several other crises and had the privilege of supervising our country’s return to democracy, I am troubled by the challenges that currently confront our country. However, I have no doubt that our country will overcome these transient challenges and take its rightful place in the league of prosperous nations.
“Indeed, acts of good governance, as demonstrated by your government’s youth development efforts and today’s opening of this beautiful edifice as well as the entrenchment of equity and justice can hold the promise of restoring our people’s faith in this country. It can strengthen our preparedness to work together to build the Nigeria we all desire and deserve.
“While congratulating the beneficiaries of this modern edifice on the joy of today, I urge you to make the best use of the facilities through effective patronage to meet your
health needs. It is only in so doing that you can justify the government’s huge investment in the scheme.
“Let me call on governments at all levels to continue to implement programmes and projects that will elevate our people and provide them with sustainable standards of living.
“Your determination to put this hospital back to shape is a clear confirmation of your love for the people of Kwara State and the determination to positively affect their lives.
“Furthermore, your efforts to create Shared Prosperity in your state and that of other state governments, which have shown a commitment to improving the lives of their people, is a silver lining in the cloud hovering over our country at this time.”
Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed said his through administration’s “surveillance efforts, advocacy programmes and targeted interventions, such as free medical care for expectant mothers and under-fives, we have reduced maternal and child mortality and created in our people the need to better take care of themselves and their environment through simple everyday measures”.
The government noted that state’s primary health systems had been better equipped with modern facilities and infrastructure with the supplies of drugs and equipment to 43 primary healthcare centres.
He said: “The reasons for this programmatic emphasis are obvious. First, a functional health system ensures the welfare of our people by keeping them in good health and providing access to quality health care, when required.
“Second, it is an incontrovertible that we cannot improve our people’s human capital unless they enjoy optimum health and can actively participate in socio-economic development.
“At this point, it is pertinent to note that aside from the structural renovation and installation of modern medical equipment, the ultramodern general hospital boasts qualified and committed medical personnel who can compete favourably anywhere in the world.
“It is appropriate to also mention that the hospital will complement health services rendered by the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Sobi Specialist Hospital and other health facilities in the state.”