News
Brain Drain Results From Insecurity, Dearth Of Requisite Equipment -Wike
Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has identified the intractable insecurity situation in Nigeria as one reason why most professionals leave the shores of the country in droves for greener pastures abroad.
Wike spoke on the cause of brain drain at the inauguration of the Renal/Dialysis Centre and House Officers’ Quarters at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital in Port Harcourt, last Wednesday.
The Rivers State governor maintained that the welfare of doctors and other professionals was not primarily the sole reasons for brain drain in the country.
He noted that because of the looming unemployment situation in the country, most people now opt to go outside Nigeria for the dream job they desire.
Even when some of professionals are employed within Nigeria, Wike insisted that such persons were not provided with the requisite equipment to use in their various organisations and industries.
“When you talk about brain drain, it is not only associated with the medical profession. So, many people leave this country because of unemployment. So many people have left this country because of insecurity. So many people have left this country because where they work, the equipment is not there.
“It is not only just because of welfare that is why you see brain drain, no. It is not correct. Even professors in the university in the various faculties of law, faculties of engineering, most of them leave because the tools to work with are not there.
“But you are lucky, you (RSUTH staff) have the tools here. So, clap for us first that we have provided the basic things. Today, you’re lucky, you’re working in a teaching hospital where you can find the equipment, at least, to make your job easier for you. So, it is not as bad as where the equipment is not there.”
Wike reiterated that it was out of grateful heart that he thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for the release of 13percent derivative fund arrears, from 1999 to date, that was never paid by previous administration to states in Niger Delta.
He wondered why saying ‘thank you’ has become an offense, adding that a particular governor feels offended over the thank you he said to President Buhari over the release of the funds.
According to Wike, the governor had gone on national television to say that the money spent to do a 3km road in his state would be used to construct more than 15 flyovers elsewhere.
“Simply because I said you people should thank President Muhammadu Buhari for releasing 13percent arrears to us. I did not abuse anybody. Did I? All I said is, please thank him, that if he did not release the arrears to me and some of our states, it may have been difficult for me to even talk about building a renal centre, cancer and cardiovascular centre, Basic and Clinical Sciences Faculty, house officers’ quarters. I don’t think saying ‘thank you’ is an offence.
“On television, I heard one of the governors said that in his state, to do 3-kilometre road will do more than 15 flyovers in Rivers. Rivers State, is it not Niger Delta state? Don’t we have riverine areas in Rivers State? Amanyanabo of Opobo said since he was born, he has never driven by road to Opobo.
“The day he drove by road to Opobo, he said, God is it possible that in my own time I will not go through the river again? I am now driving by road to Opobo! That is a major riverine area. By the grace of God, this December (2022), we are going to commission the first phase of Trans-Kalabari Road. That is a major riverine area”.
Speaking further, Wike said, “I didn’t know that people are sick about the flyovers I do. Okay, sorry. I don’t want you to be sick again. I won’t do again. Instead of you to appreciate and ask somebody, how are you doing this, and justify what you’re doing.
“I have turned the state capital around using a major construction firm like Julius Berger Nigeria Plc. If you know you have the capacity, if you know you have what it takes, go and take Julius Berger, and see whether you can pay salaries.”
Wike pointed to how determined he was in creating the space for medical education that led to the establishment of medical college at the Rivers State University (RSU), which hitherto was not in existence before he assumed office in 2015.
“To tell you it is not just flyovers, look at the health sector alone. As at the time we came, this state had no medical college, only the University of Port Harcourt had, and you see how competitive being a federal university. How many of our people get admission to read medicine and other related courses there?”
About 100 students of Rivers origin, he explained, at the PAMO University of Medical Sciences are also placed on state government scholarship, adding that upon graduation, they would gain automatic employment into government establishment.
Wike said while equipment are provided, and medical facilities upgraded, the manpower gap was also being filled.
The governor maintained that the current congestion experienced at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH) was being addressed.
He explained that in the coming days, the GynaecologyDepartment would move to the Mother and Child Hospital, and other departments moving to their dedicated facilities like the Maxillo-Facial and Kelsey Harrison hospitals.
Speaking on the projects, Wike urged Nigerians to seek medical assistance from the Renal/Dialysis Centre because it has the best equipment and personnel to offer requisite services.
There is already an ongoing arrangement, Wike hinted, towards an effective management of the centre to ensure sustainability.
Wike also advised the house officers to imbibe maintenance culture so that they can always keep the quarters clean and maintain the structure.
In his speech, Chief Medical Director of Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, Dr. Friday Aaron, said the two projects inaugurated were signature of the genuine love of Wike for the state.
Aaron recalled that the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) was already constructing a Renal/Dialysis Unit, adding that whenWike noticed that if allowed in its form, it would be limited in the service it would offer.
The CMD said Wikehad directed an expansion of the unit into a world-class centre that would diagnose renal cases, perform dialysis and do kidney transplant.
This, he said,was because the governor believes that Rivers people deserve the best.
In his address, Commissioner for Health, Prof. PrincewillChike, said the renal centre was one of the best in Nigeria that has been provided by Wike for his love for the health sector.
The centre, he pointed out, was a one-storey building, with lift that can take 13 persons per time.
According to him, there were also doctors and nurses call rooms, water treatment unit, and a six-bed space dialysis area.
Chike also explained that on the first floor, there were two theatres; one is where kidney donors and recipients are kept, with equipment to ensure the marching of the kidney.
He said the second theatre was where the transplanting of the kidney would be done, adding that the situation would be properly monitored.
Chike said there is 100KVA standby generating set and 30KVA inverter with six solar plates to ensure regular power supply.
The Chairman, Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Dr.Ebi Robinson, commended Wike for building the renal centre and equipping it with latest state-of-the-art medical equipment that would enhance the productivity of doctors in the hospital.
The Hausa Community in Rivers State has dissociated itself from media reports credited to one MaiwadaAdamu that the Arewa Community in Rivers State has appointed Alhaji Musa Saidu as the acting SarkinHausawa, PortHarcourt, following the inability of the former SarkinHausawa, Alhaji Isa Madaki to carry out his functions.
MaidawaAdamu, who is also the spokesman of the Arewa Initiative for Peaceful Co-existence, had briefed journalists on the change, but in a swift reaction, the Office of Alhaji Isa Madaki, has come out to say that the only recognised body which has the powers to appoint the SarkinHausawa, PortHarcourt is the Council of SarkinHausawa in PortHarcourt headed by Alhaji Isa Madaki.
The statement also said Alhaji Hussani Isa Madaki is the only recognisedSarkinHausawa, Port Harcourt, adding that his appointment follows the proclamation and endorsement by the council members of SarkinHausawa, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The statement further called on the general public and all authorities concerned to give Alhaji Hussani Isa Madaki maximum co-operation and support,as he discharges his duties as SarkinHausawa, Port Harcourt.
The Suspended Rivers State Commissioner for health, Dr Adaeze Chidinma Oreh, has described as baseless allegations in some quarters that she was responsible for the purported disruption of the Nigerian First Lady’s empowerment program in Port Harcourt.
Dr Oreh, who said this in a statement personally signed by her and a copy made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt also described the allegation as a product of the sick imagination of rumour mongers
According to Dr Oreh, “they are nothing more than a feeble and mischievous attempt to tarnish my reputation and sow discord”
In her words,”the allegations levelled against me, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, regarding the supposed disruption of the First Lady’s empowerment programme on Friday 2nd May, 2025, are entirely unfounded, completely false, and a product of the sick imagination of rumour mongers and conflict entrepreneurs.
“They are nothing more than a feeble and mischievous attempt to tarnish my reputation and sow discord.”
The suspended commissioner challenged those behind the allegation, especially the Concerned Rivers Youth Organisation to show proof of its assertion adding “It is essential to base criticisms on facts rather than speculation or puerile political agendas.
“I challenge the “Concerned Rivers Youth Organisation” (assuming such a body really exists) to provide tangible proof to support their assertions.
“It is essential to base criticisms on facts rather than speculation or puerile political agendas.
“I have neither sponsored nor will sponsor any activities aimed at embarrassing or disrupting the activities of the administration appointed by His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR to oversee the affairs of Rivers State following his declaration of a state of emergency on Tuesday, 18th March, 2025, and have rather spent the time of my suspension from office focused on other endeavours and my doctoral studies.
“I reaffirm my commitment to working tirelessly for the progress and development of Rivers State.
“Furthermore, I believe that it is crucial for all stakeholders to promote a culture of truth, integrity, and respect in public discourse.
“Unsubstantiated wild claims undermine trust and hinder constructive engagement, and this is not what the state needs at this difficult and delicate time.
“I urge everyone to focus on issues that unite us and foster a positive, solution-driven dialogue for the betterment of our State, and urge everyone to work together to build a brighter future for Rivers State, grounded in truth, transparency, and collective effort,”she said.
By: John Bibor
The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has called on key regulators, asset owners and other stakeholders to continue to support the agency toward the goal of remediating the Ogoni environment and restoring the livelihoods of the people and building structures for peace.
The Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, who made the call during the Project’s first quarter meeting with regulators, asset owners and stakeholders in Port Harcourt, urged the stakeholders to remain resolute in supporting HYPREP’s work.
“We particularly expect each regulatory agency and asset owner to deepen their involvement and continue to provide strategic support to the project”, he said, stressing that the quarterly meeting platform remains instrumental in providing a structural avenue for regulators, asset owners, and implementation partners to offer feedback to HYPREP on project performance and deliberate on ideas that move the project forward, as well as strengthen collaboration, deepen synergy and reinforce collective responsibility.
Zabbey disclosed that the socio-economic study of Ogoni has started, as HYPREP has contacted the International Agency for Research on Cancer of the World Health Organisation(WHO) to commence in the next quarter a three-year human health biomonitoring in Ogoniland.
He noted that work on several fronts of the cleanup project is progressing steadily, adding that as key project partners, the insights and shared experience of the regulators and asset owners have always enriched HYPREP’s operations.
He said the policy thrust of HYPREP for 2025 is clear, as the Project is intensifying efforts to complete within stated timelines, the various ongoing projects, including remediation works and mangrove restoration, potable water facilities, the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration, the Ogoni Power Project, Ogoni Specialist Hospital, and Buan Cottage Hospital, among others.
Zabbey, however, announced that HYPREP would commence new set of shoreline cleanup, mangrove restoration and livelihood projects, to sustain the momentum of implementing the Ogoni cleanup, adding that the agency would also conduct detailed site characterisation of the high-risk complex sites, leading to remediation works at the sites.
He noted that HYPREP’s collaboration with Rivers State Ministries of Health, Power and Environment, and civil society organisations remains vital, stressing that the technical and administrative support of all relevant government agencies and funding partners is indispensable in helping HYPREP overcome operational bottlenecks, especially those encountered in interfacing with host communities.
He further indicated that “the people of Ogoni and the nation are looking to us with hope and expectation, and expect tangible results from the remediation initiative”, assuring the participants that the Project Coordination Office is committed to delivering positive results.
“We must, therefore, continue to work with diligence, transparency, and a renewed sense of purpose”, he declared, saying, “ the completion and commissioning of projects this year must reflect not only our technical ability but also our collective commitment to environmental sustainability and sustainable development in Ogoni.”
During the interactive session, the Project Coordinator briefed the participants on the progress made so far by HYPREP to conclude the distribution of starter packs to the 5,000 Ogoni trainees, and called on contractors who had already collected huge chunk of money for the project, to deliver without further delay.
In all, the regulators, asset owners and stakeholders commended HYPREP for the good works it is doing, and urged it to do more.
The National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency(NOSDRA) was represented at the event by Deputy Director, Oil Field Assessment, Dr Abam Komommo Omini, while Dr Vincent Nwachukwu, Director of Medical Services, represented the Rivers State Ministry of Health.
The Rivers State Ministries of Water Resources, Power and Environment were represented by Dr Bealo Brownson; Engr K. J. Osele; and Mr James Ordu respectively, while the Society for Women and Youth Affairs (SWAYA); and the Stakeholder Democracy Network(SDN); among other civil society organisations were also at the event.
By: Donatus Ebi