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We’ve Made RSUTH Best Teaching Hospital In Nigeria, Wike Declares
Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has declared the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH) as the best of such medical facility in Nigeria.
Wike made the declaration given the huge investment his administration has made that was strengthening the capacity of the specialist hospital in the training of medical personnel, research and medical innovations.
The governor spoke at the inauguration of the twin buildings housing the Faculty of Basic Clinical Sciences and the Faculty of Clinical Sciences, performed by the Chairman of Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, Prof. Abba Hassan in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
“Go to the university teaching hospital, you have the best of equipment you can talk about. I don’t see any teaching hospital in this country today that can compare with what we have at Rivers State University Teaching Hospital.”
Wike noted the several other separate health service providing facilities that are integrated into the teaching hospital for holistic service delivery.
The governor enthused that even the medical personnel and students alike do have the best of medical equipment that would expose them to contemporary medical practice.
Wike explained that soon, the Renal Centre and the hostel for medical house officers that have been completed would soon be inaugurated.
With such huge investment made, Wike charged the teachers and students to take their work and studies seriously so that there would be sustained excellence in the health sector.
“We are commissioning the Renal Centre and the house officers’ hostel, which have been completed and furnished soon.
“But it beats my imagination that a teaching hospital has no Renal Centre. Go and see the Mother and Child Hospital; the gynaecology and paediatric sections. Those of you who will be using the teaching hospital for your learning, you are getting the best equipment for your practical. What you see overseas is what you are seeing here.
“So, you must count yourselves to be lucky that you came at a time you won’t say we don’t have laboratory. You have everything now. So, there will be no excuse from you. All you need to do is to concentrate.”
Wike also reassured that he would not leave office without completing projects his administration has awarded, but noted that should any be left without being inaugurated, he was confident that his successor would, in the spirit of continuity, complete them for inauguration.
“I will not leave any project unfinished. I will make sure all the projects we have started are finished. If they are not finished, maybe at 90 or 95oercent completion, when my successors, Siminialayi Fubara and Prof. Ngozi Ordu come, they should use them for their first 100 days in office projects and commission them.
“This isbecause; they are part of what we are doing. When I say my successor, you know they will win. You know they will win because our report card is there to show what we have done. We are in the period of operation show your report card.”
Speaking further, Wike directed the commissioner for special projects to visit the site for building of hostels for medical students of the Rivers State University, and assess what was required to complete the project in the next two months.
Wike also insisted that the Pathology Department of the university should be ready for inauguration in January, 2023.
Performing the inauguration of the project, Chairman of Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), Prof. Abba Hassan, noted the audacity of Wike to sustain regular training of over 300 medical and other auxiliary staff.
These, he said, were also paid regularly higher than any government, including the Federal Government.
“Governor Wike has invested satisfactorily in this entire tripod starting with the development of manpower in the health sector, giving a foundation to sustain the investment in the infrastructure and equipment procurement.
“It will also provide opportunity for research and invention. I learned that over 300 medical and staff had been trained and are being paid regularly higher than any government, including the Federal Government. This will certainly help to forestall the cancerous brain drain in this sector.”
Hassan expressed his excitement to be part of the event when he said, “I’m privileged to be invited on this occasion to commission one of the projects in health sector among several projects that had been commissioned so far.
“For us in the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria as regulator in training and practice of medicine and dentistry, wish to note with satisfaction the developmental so far done in this sector by your government.
“Healthcare training and services are anchored on a tripod of consisting of personnel, infrastructure and equipment procurement.”
On his part, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, Governing council of the university, Justice IcheNdu (rtd), recalled how on November 29, 2019, representatives of the National University Commission (NUC) were on resource verification at RSU College of Medical Sciences.
During the visit, they insisted, he said, that before the university would be accredited by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria to proceed to the clinicals, commitments should be shown in building such faculty building.
He thanked Wike for his support that has actualised the requirement needed for full accreditation.
In his speech, Vice Chancellor of Rivers State University, Prof. Nlerum Okogbule, said the university was appreciative of the sagacity and commitment shown by Wike towards the improvement of medical study and services in the institution.
In his address, Commissioner for Education, Prof Chinedu Mmom, said it took the audacity of the governor to break the jinx by establishing the College of Medical Sciences at the Rivers State University.
The Administrator of Rivers State, Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, has assured the commitment of Rivers State government to workers’s welfare and industrial harmony in Rivers State.
The Sole Administrator gave the assurance after meeting with leadership of organized labour unions at the Government House, Port Harcourt on Wednesday.
Ibas reaffirmed government’s policy of prompt payment of salaries and pensions to workers and retirees, stating that all local government employees are not receiving the approved minimum wage.
He disclosed that approval has been given for payment of newly employed staff at Rivers State University Teaching Hospital and the Judiciary, while medical workers in Local Government Areas will now receive correct wages.
Ibas explained that, Government is reviewing implementation challenges of the Contributory Pension Scheme ahead of the July 2025 deadline, adding that Intervention buses have been reintroduced to ease workers’ transportation ,with plans to expand the fleet.
He said specialized leadership training for top civil servants will commence within two weeks, while due consideration is being given to implementing the N32,000 consequential adjustment for pensioners and clearing outstanding gratuities.
Ibas commended Rivers State workers for their dedication to service and called for sustained partnership with labour unions to maintain industrial peace.
“This administration recognizes workers as critical partners in development. We remain committed to addressing your legitimate concerns within available resources,” he stated.
The State NLC Chairman, Comrade Alex Agwanwor, thanked the Administrator for the steps taken so far with regard to workers welfare while appreciating his disposition towards alleviating the transportation problem faced by workers.
He also expressed appreciation for the government’s openness to dialogue and pledged continued cooperation towards achieving mutual goals.
The Rivers State Government assured all workers of its unwavering commitment to their welfare and called for continued dedication to service delivery for the collective progress of our dear State.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Rivers Council, has called for policies that will improve the economic situation of the country in order to ensure enhanced living standard for workers.
The State Chairman, Mr Alex Agwanwor, made the remark on behalf of the unions affiliated to Labour Congress during the 2025 workers day celebration in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Agwanwor highlighted the demands of the Unions which included the immediate payment of pension arrears, implementation of the N32,000 minimum wage for pensioners, and payment of gratuities and death benefits without further delay.
“We are calling for the regulation and protection of e-hailing drivers, implementation of increments and promotions, and resolution of long-standing issues in the polytechnic sector,” he said.
Agwanwor on behalf of the unions appealed to President Bola Tinubu to reinstate the democratically elected Governor, Deputy Governor, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
He stressed the importance of democratic governance and good working relationship with elected representatives.
According to him, the unions expressed disappointment over the imposition of taxes, increase in electricity tariff, and high cost of goods and services, which have further worsened the plight of workers.
“We urge the federal government to take measures to alleviate the suffering of citizens,” he said.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima says President Bola Tinubu is committed to unlocking Nigeria’s full potential and position the country as a leading force on the African continent.
Shettima stated this when he hosted a delegation from the Hertie School of Governance, Berlin, led by its Senior Fellow, Dr Rolf Alter, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja last Wednesday.
He said Nigeria was actively seeking expertise from the global best institutions to enhance policy formulation and implementation, particularly in human capital development.
The Vice-President noted that President Tinubu was determined to elevate Nigeria to its rightful position as a leading force in Africa.
“The current crop of leadership in Nigeria under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is ready and willing to unleash the full potential of the Nigerian nation on the African continent.
” We are laying the groundwork through strategic reforms, and at the heart of it, is human capital development.”
He described the Hertie School as a valuable partner in the journey.
According to him, Hertie School of Governance, Berlin, has track record and institutional knowledge to add value to our policy formulation and delivery, especially in this disruptive age.
Shettima reiterated the government’s priority on upskilling Nigerians, saying ” skills are very important, and with our Human Capital Development (HCD) 2.0 programme.
“We are in a position to unleash the full potential of the Nigerian people by enhancing their capital skills.”
The Vice-President acknowledged the vital support of international development partners in that effort.
” I want to thank the World Bank, the European Union, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and all our partners in that drive to add value to the Nigerian nation,” he maintained.
The Vice-President said human capital development was both an economic imperative and a social necessity.
Shettima assured the delegation of the government’s readiness to deepen cooperation.
” We need the skills and the capacity from your school. The world is now knowledge-driven.
“I wish to implore you to have a very warm and robust partnership with the government and people of Nigeria.”
Shettima further explained recent economic decisions of the government, including fuel subsidy removal and foreign exchange reforms.
“The removal of fuel subsidy, the unification of the exchange rate regime and the revolution in the energy sector are all painful processes, but at the end of the day, the Nigerian people will laugh last.
“President Tinubu is a very modern leader who is willing to take far-reaching, courageous decisions to reposition the Nigerian economy,” he added.
Earlier, Alter, congratulated the Tinubu administration for the successful launch and implementation of the Human Capital Development (HCD) strategy.
The group leader described the development as ambitious and targeted towards the improvement of the lives of the citizens.
He expressed satisfaction with the outcome of his engagements since arriving in the country.
He applauded the zeal, commitment, energy and goodwill observed among stakeholders in the implementation of Nigeria’s HCD programme.
Alter said the Hertie School of Governance would work closely with authorities in Nigeria across different levels to deliver programmes specifically designed to address the unique needs of the country.
He, however, stressed the need for government officials at different levels to be agile and amenable to the dynamics of the evolving world, particularly as Nigeria attempted to successfully accelerate its human capital development aspirations.
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