The defection of Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) has continued to attract commendations across the state.
Reacting to the governor’s decision, a former state governor, Dr. Peter Odili, described the move as timely and beneficial, saying it would enhance the state’s overall development.
Odili said the defection effectively aligns Rivers State with the federal government, a development he described as “perfect,” noting that the state stands to gain more from the centre.
The former governor made the remarks at the weekend during the eighth Founders’ Day and 5th Convocation ceremony of the PAMO University of Medical Sciences, Port Harcourt.
Odili, the institution’s founder and Pro-Chancellor, lauded Governor Fubara for his investments in education and the health sector, particularly in primary healthcare, which he said aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s health sector reforms.
“With what you have done as our governor, the attention you have paid to education and health is highly commendable. I am sure no state in Nigeria can boast of the quality of zonal hospitals you have built,” he said.
“The emphasis on primary healthcare is excellent, and you have tailored your programmes to align correctly with what Mr. President is doing in the health sector. So far, at least 500 infrastructure projects have been completed across the country.
“The alignment of Rivers State with the federal government is therefore perfect. We support it and encourage it because our people are now in the kitchen where the national cake is baked.”
Odili added that those who work in the kitchen benefit more, urging the people of Rivers State to rally behind the governor to ensure the state secures its fair share of national resources.
He expressed concern over the increasing migration of medical professionals abroad in search of better opportunities, warning that the trend poses serious challenges to Nigeria’s healthcare system.
The Pro-Chancellor called for an upward review of the remuneration of doctors and other health professionals, as well as an extension of the retirement age of medical practitioners to about 70 years, saying such measures would help stem the brain drain in the sector.
Odili described the exodus of medical experts as a national crisis, disclosing that many professors at PAMO University of Medical Sciences are retirees from other institutions who are still actively contributing to medical education.
“Judges can suspend work for months, engineers can halt construction, but no medical professional can afford the luxury of suspending treatment of patients. Let us make our pastures greener in Nigeria,” Odili said.
In his address, Governor Fubara, represented by his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu, expressed satisfaction that the state government’s investment in the university—particularly through scholarships for hundreds of Rivers State indigenes—was yielding positive results.
She assured that the state government would continue to support the institution, especially given the quality of the medical graduates it produces.
Earlier, the Chancellor of the university and former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd.), said the approval of academic programmes by the National Universities Commission (NUC) was aimed at strengthening the quality of healthcare professionals in the country.
Abubakar commended national regulatory bodies for inducting the university’s graduates into professional associations and reaffirmed the institution’s zero tolerance for social vices among staff and students.
Also speaking was the Acting Vice-Chancellor of PAMO University of Medical Sciences, Prof. Smith Jaja, who reiterated the institution’s zero-tolerance policy on misconduct and disclosed that a total of 126 students graduated across various medical disciplines.
He urged the graduates to be worthy ambassadors of the university and to strive to surpass their predecessors’ achievements.
Blessing Ibunge
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