By Michael Ezenwata
The Deputy Chairman, Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council and Chairman Anambra North Traditional Rulers Council, Igwe Benjamin Okeji has called on Nigerian leaders to equip the nation’s hospitals with state -of-art facilities to reduce the patronage of foreign hospitals by its prominent citizens.
In a statement in Awka on the death and burial of the former president of the country, Mohammadu Buhari, Igwe Okeji who doubles as the Traditional Ruler of Omasi, noted that such action is unpatriotic and against national interest.
Reacting to the death of the former head of state in a London hospital, the royal father wondered if there were no good hospitals in Nigeria to handle his health challenges.
He recalled the huge investment and budgetary allocation to the health sector which have become a mirage because their values are underutilized.
He queried the rationale behind such actions by over 90 percent of the nation’s leaders and therefore suggested that they should have a rethink and show more commitment to national values.
Igwe Okeji noted that many Nigerians who displayed love for their fatherland such as the great Zik of Africa, late Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, among others were not flown to London or India for treatment but died in their country.
He called on leaders again to work for the overall interest of the Nigerian masses especially in the improvement of the nation’s health care delivery system.
He described the death of the former president as a call awaiting every mortal but cautioned that while alive, people especially leaders, should leave behind legacies that will put smiles on the faces of their dear country men and women.
- Ezenwata is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State *
