By Dare Akogun
The upper chamber of the National Assembly passed for Presidential assent, the Federal Medical Centre, Fufu (Establishment) a Bill sponsored by Member representing Ilorin East/South Federal Constituency Hon. (Dr) Abdulganiyu Saka Cook Olododo.
Olododo who is also seeking re-election under the platform of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) Candidate for the Constituency in the 2023 election told newsmen that it is another win for the people of the Federal Constituency, Kwara Central and Kwara state at large, as it marks a significant landmark towards the realization of a Federal Medical Facility in Fufu, headquarters of Ilorin South Local Government.
Reacting to the development, the Director General of Ganiyu Saka Cook Olododo Campaign Organization (GSCCO), Alh. Ishola Mashood Abiola (Pascal) described the breakthrough as another result of the sterling performance of Olododo on the mandate bestowed on him by the good people of Ilorin East and South Federal Constituency.
Ishola noted that “During our pre-campaign tours, we found out through feedbacks that establishment of the FMC was fascinating to our people.
“We are glad that our people are cognizant of Olododo’s strides and accomplishments as their lawmaker and we are confident they won’t allow the tremendous gains of Olododo’s representation fritter away as they resolve to re-elect him to do more for us”, he added.
The FMC, Fufu establishment bill, which has now sailed through legislative processes and awaits Presidential assent by Nigeria President, Muhammadu Buhari, provides a legal framework for the establishment and running of a Federal hospital in Fufu, including establishment of Management Board, Chief Medical Director and other staff.
At the plenary of the Nigeria Senate on Wednesday, Senate President Ahmed Lawan announced that the Red Chamber of the National Assembly have considered the FMC, Fufu Establishment Bill, which scaled through legislative processes at the House of Representatives about five (5) months ago.
The FMC, Fufu establishment Bill, aside ensuring Kwarans get access to quality healthcare services also promises to open up job opportunities for the people of Ilorin East/South Federal Constituency and the state at large, when finally assented to by President Buhari.
During the public hearing of the bill, Olododo disclosed that he was spurred to sponsor the Bill upon the realization of urgency of the need
to improve on the existing health facilities in the State and poor level of accessibility to health care delivery in Nigeria, and particularly, Kwara state.
The lawmaker noted that the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic all over the world, which left our health facilities over stretched shows the need to improve on the available health facilities, hence the need to establish more facilities.
“It 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.”
