Politics
Nigeria’s Medical Care, Less Expensive – Expert
Medical care in Nigeria
has been said to be less expensive as compared to that obtained abroad.
Rivers State based medical practitioner, Dr U.I Fingesi stated this while speaking at the Youth And Profession/Skill’ programme organized by the Adventist Youth Ministries of the Seventh Day Adventist Church, Mile One, Port Harcourt Central District in Port Harcourt, Sunday.
Fingesi who noted that the notion of Nigerian medical care being expensive was widespread among Nigerians said that it was as a result of the economic standard of the nation.
According to him, the average Nigerian looks for what to eat first before medical care adding that medical care comes mostly at the dying stage of the patient which demands more than it would have been at the beginning.
“According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), poverty is living below one dollar per day. Going by this definition the average Nigerian is poor and so accessing medical care becomes almost the last option. Otherwise, there is no way we can compare what we have here to that which obtains abroad in terms of medical care putting into consideration the transportation, hotel bills and others that will be spent while receiving the care.
While fielding questions from participants of the programme, Fingesi described the medical profession as humanitarian stating that the patient was the first option of the medical doctor above everything else.
In his words ‘medical practice is humanitarian because it is the patient first. Irrespective of the amount paid to the medical personnel, life can never be compared”.
“Unfortunately, most of the patients and even their relatives have not been understanding. The attitudes of some of the doctors do not come in the empty but as a result of their ill-experiences with patients and their relatives. A lot of these patients are of the habit of absconding with their treatment bills. Consequently, the doctor is left with the option of demanding for a deposit before commencing treatment because these doctors use money to purchase the materials used for the treatment. Nevertheless, as an ethic of the profession, the patient’s life remains first,” he said.
Fingesi further noted that the some what callous attitude of some medical personnel was due largely to the numerous patients for a single doctor saying “because several other patients are waiting for you, you need to hurry up with the one you are attending to. This hasty nature does not give room for pleasantries and cordiality and it looks as if the doctors are nasty.”
Fingesi therefore called for more medical doctors to meet with the numerous medical challenge of the state and the nation at large.
Lady Godknows Ogbulu
Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos, on Wednesday, discharged and acquitted former Ekiti State Governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose, of all charges bordering on alleged money laundering and theft amounting to N6.9 billion.
The court’s decision followed the judge’s ruling in favour of Mr Fayose’s no case submission, bringing to an end a long running legal battle.
It would be recalled that on May 20, 2025, Justice Aneke had reserved ruling on the no case submission after hearing arguments from Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), counsel to Mr Fayose (the 1st defendant); Olalekan Ojo (SAN), counsel to the 2nd defendant, Spotless Investment Limited; and Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), representing the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Mr Fayose and his company had been re-arraigned on an 11 count charge of money laundering and theft, offences the EFCC alleged took place during his tenure as governor and involved funds linked to the office of the former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki.
Adopting the no case submission dated July 16, 2025, Chief Agabi argued that the prosecution “failed to establish a prima facie case.”
He told the court, “With due respect, the predicate offences on which these charges are based do not hold water. Criminal breach of trust and conspiracy are distinct, and no co-conspirator was charged alongside the defendant.”
He further noted that Abiodun Agbele, allegedly involved in the offences, was not jointly tried, which he said weakened the prosecution’s case and urged the court to hold that Mr Fayose had no case to answer.
Counsel for the 2nd defendant, Olalekan Ojo (SAN), also adopted a no case submission dated March 21, 2025, pointing out that key evidence by prosecution witnesses had been discredited. He highlighted the testimony of the 13th prosecution witness, former Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, who admitted there was no communication between Mr Fayose and the then NSA.
However, the EFCC counsel, Mr Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), urged the court to dismiss the no case submissions. Adopting the commission’s counter affidavit and written address dated May 8, 2025, Jacobs argued that the defence failed to explain several suspicious transactions.
Mr Jacobs recalled evidence from EFCC investigator, Mr Abubakar Madaki, who told the court that Mr Fayose used associates to acquire multiple properties in Abuja, Lagos, and abroad—properties those associates later denied owning, but which Mr Fayose claimed in his statements.
“If the money was clean, why not buy the properties in his name?” Mr Jacobs asked.
Mr Jacobs also cited Sen. Obanikoro’s testimony that Mr Fayose requested funds in cash and introduced Mr Agbele to facilitate the handover, stressing that “the defendant has questions to answer.”
Delivering his verdict, Justice Aneke ruled that the EFCC failed to establish any prima facie case against Mr Fayose and could not provide concrete evidence linking him to the alleged crimes.
The Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr Doifie Buokoribo, noted that in a world where politics is often defined by elitism and standoffishness, the late Buhari stood out as a unique example of a statesman and influencer who was popular with the masses and respected by the elite.
The statement read’s in part: “He was a leader who embodied the values of courage, discipline, integrity, and compassion. Buhari’s commitment to duty and the nation was unwavering, both as a soldier and a politician. He led with a strong sense of responsibility, which prioritised the well-being of the people and the security of the nation.
“He brought to politics a strategic mindset that combined the discipline and nerve of a soldier and the diplomacy of a politician. He determinedly went for the presidency of his country, braving all odds, until victory came his way in 2015.
“It was a sweet victory, one that changed the course of politics in the country, being the first time that an incumbent president would lose to the opposition.
“Buhari contested for the presidency a consecutive four times, in 2003, 2007, 2011, and 2015. He stayed the course until some day came in 2015, when he finally met his goal.”
According to the APC State Publicity Secretary, “Buhari’s quiet strength and unshakeable resolve endeared him to many across social classes. He was a friend of the poor and a rallying point for the elite.”
Governor Makinde said this in Akure, the Ondo State capital, during an interview with journalists at the 10th anniversary celebration of the rulership of the Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi.
Asked to comment on the exit of Alhaji Abubakar from the party, the governor said that “Politics is a game of interest. I don’t think that will make any dent on PDP as a party.
“The Peoples Democratic Party is an institution. We have freedom of entrance and exit. Anyone that will hold PDP down, it is better for such an individual to quit.”
On whether the African Democratic Congress (ADC) poses a threat to the PDP, Governor Makinde said that “l don’t see ADC as a threat to PDP.
“The goal is about the same. If you are not happy about the tempo and pace of governance, you are free to associate and see what can be done.
“But one thing we must all realise is that players will come and go, governors will come and go, presidents will come and go but our state and country will remain”.
In his lecture entitled “The Role of Nigeria’s Traditional Institutions in Nation Building: Impediments, Impacts, and Prospects, the governor advocated a constitutional role for traditional rulers.
Governor Makinde said that his administration in Oyo State had taken deliberate steps to integrate traditional institutions into the governance architecture.
According to him, “In Oyo State, we have been having good collaboration with traditional institutions, and we have had great results from such collaborations.
“That is why we are pushing for a constitutional role for them so that they don’t keep floating. They can participate and contribute, and also we can hold them accountable.
“We institutionalised their role in the State Security Council. Our royal fathers are not bystanders. They serve as first responders, sources of local intelligence, and advocates for peace”.
The governor added that “We passed laws to remove ambiguity around succession and throne ascension. The outcome? Fewer legal battles, reduced communal tension, and enhanced legitimacy for our royal fathers.
“We need stronger, smarter partnerships—between the old and the new, between the traditional throne and the modern office, and between the oba’s palace and the policies of government.”
While appreciating the governor, Oba Aladelusi said that the traditional institution had a pivotal role to play in nation-building, hence the need for the country’s constitution to strengthen it.
Oba Aladelusi said that Akure is one without division and commended the state government, as well as the sons and daughters of the town, for their support of the Deji palace.
Meanwhile, one of the discussants at the colloquium, a professor of History in Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Adedayo Afe, said that “law of succession should be entrenched in the nation’s constitution, not just in the state law, to check overbearing tendencies of governors over traditional institutions.
Prof. Afe called for promulgation of law establishing Paramountcy in Ondo State.
Also, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Ondo State, Kayode Ajulo, SAN, advocated that the constitution should accommodate and recognise culture and traditions.
Mr Ajulo said that the traditional rulers should be funded and trained in conflict resolution.
-
News14 mins ago
South-South Contributes N34trn To Nigeria’s Economy In 2024 – Institute
-
Rivers2 hours ago
Woji DPO: ‘A Police Officer With Impeccable Character’
-
News14 mins ago
NOA Set To Unveil National Values Charter — D-G
-
Business1 hour ago
NCDMB Promises Oil Industry Synergy With Safety Boots Firm
-
Niger Delta13 mins ago
Adopt African System Against Crime, Don Urges Security Agencies
-
Opinion1 hour ago
Why Reduce Cut-Off Mark for C.O.E ?
-
Politics6 seconds ago
Alleged Money Laundering: Fayose Has No Case To Answer, Court Tells EFCC
-
Politics1 hour ago
Atiku’s Exit No Problem To PDP – Makinde