ODAHIEKWU OGUNDE, YENAGOA
Bayelsa State Deputy Governor Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo has again urged medical and health practitioners to show more love and patriotism by staying in the country and joining forces with other progressive elements to build a better Nigeria, despite the current national challenges.
Ewhrudjakpo stated this on Wednesday when the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Yenagoa Branch of the Association of Resident Doctors paid him a courtesy visit in Government House, Yenagoa.
The Deputy Governor pointed out that the developed countries where most Nigerians are struggling to go seeking greener pastures had also encountered their own challenges in the past.
He argued that such countries would not be what they are today if courageous and patriotic citizens had not stayed back to weather the storms and build their countries
Ewhrudjakpo, who described as primordial the thinking that other nationals would come and build Nigeria for its people, called on Nigerians to do away with such thoughts and convictions.
He stressed the need for Nigerians from all walks of life to close ranks and work towards harnessing the potential of greatness God has endowed the country with, rather than abandon their fatherland because of what the nation is currently going through.
He particularly appealed to the resident doctors to continue to make necessary sacrifices in building the health sector, which is key to the socio-economic growth and development of the country.
Ewhrudjakpo, however, called on all tiers of government and other critical stakeholders to redouble their efforts at providing an enabling environment and the right incentives to motivate medical personnel and check brain drain, which he noted, was assuming a worrisome dimension in Nigeria.
He said: “I do not believe in all ready-made things because most times it is not made to your taste. That is why I do not like living in already made societies. The incessant human resource flight is becoming embarrassing.
“The America and London we see today weren’t like this. They have also had their fair share of challenges. But the Americans and their British counterparts never ran away because of those problems. They actually stayed back to build their societies, which they are now enjoying.
“That is why I believe that we need to stay and build our society because if we leave it undone and run away, it will remain that way. I want all of us to encourage ourselves and build Nigeria to our taste. Let other nationals also come here and pay for our services.
“We can go outside and acquire knowledge but come back to Nigeria with that knowledge to build the Nigeria of our dreams. We shouldn’t neglect our nation just because it is not yet where we want it to be. Winners don’t quit; quitters don’t win.”
Earlier, the President, Association of Resident Doctors, FMC Yenagoa Branch, Dr Nbooh Romeo, thanked the Deputy Governor for always supporting their programmes and informed him of their proposal for a medical outreach at Sampou Community in Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area of the state.
While appealing for the government’s support of the outreach and provision of an 18-seater bus, Dr Nbooh also requested Senator Ewhrudjakpo to attend the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Association billed for December this year in Yenagoa.