Deputy Speaker Wins Medical Students Award

The Deputy Speaker of Rivers State House of Assembly and member representing Khana Constituency 11, Hon. Leyii Kwanee, has been given an award of excellence by the Medical and Dental Students Association of the University of Port Harcourt.

The award was in recognition of the services he provided in the health sector particularly in his constituency.

Speaking at the presentation of the award in Port Harcourt, the chairman of the organising committee, Mr. Ikonwa Christian Obinna, said that the Deputy Speaker was nominated because of his contribution to free or subsidised healthcare delivery programmes in his constituency.

He listed the programmes as a free medical health care services provided by Kwanee Constituency Office in conjunction with World Outreach Missions, USA, the signing of Memorandum of Understanding between Kwanee Constituency Office and Neimeith International Pharmaceutical Plc, on the delivery of Sickle Cell Management for all sickle cell sufferers in Ogoni and beyond, which involve diagnosis of sickle cell anaemia and, administration and subsidisation of drugs amongst others.

Speaking further he said that the award was aimed at recognising and encouraging excellence in the health sector.

Responding the Deputy Speaker said that he was doing his own thing and was surprised that it attracted the attention of medical students.

He said he chose to emphasise on health having discovered that many people are sick due to oil exploration activities and had no money to treat themselves because of the abject poverty existing in the area as a result of environmental degradation.

Hon Kwanee said that although the programmes are located in Ogoniland that plans are on the way to expand it to all parts of the State to complement Governor Amaechi’s giant stride in health particularly in the rural areas.

He said this honour given to him by the students is not only for him but for the Speaker, his boss who has always been of support and encouragement in this area he has chosen to contribute his little quota.

He further said it also included his friends and colleagues who in one way or the other have been of immense support.