- With 300 seater-hall, offices
By Stephen Adeleye.
The Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Kogi chapter, after many years of her existence, has finally commenced the construction of a befitting Secretariat with 300 seating capacity hall for meetimgs, and with several offices.
The one-storey building which will be referred to as ”NMA House” is situated along Hassan-Katsina road close to CBN, Zone 8, Lokoja, Kogi State.
Speaking to newsmen at the ground breaking and foundation laying ceremony at the site on Tuesday, the NMA Chairman in Kogi, Dr Kabiru Zubair, said that the association had always dreamt of building her secretariat, but has not been possible until now.
According to Zubair, the current Exco, building on the achievements of previous Exco was able to mobilize resources to commence this secretariat despite the dwindling economic fortune of the State and the country at large.
He stressed that the dwindling economic fortune had even been made worsened by the global pandemic of COVID-19.
”As the current Exco wind down their activities, it is hoped that wherever we stopped, subsequent Exco should be able to take the project to completion.
”As we lay the foundation, today, we wish to appreciate all who has contributed in one way or the other to ensure that we are able to get to this stage,” Zubair said.
In his remarks, the Kogi Commissioner for Health, Dr Saka Haruna Audu, who performed the foundation laying, commended the exco and entire members of NMA in Kogi for the wonderful project.
Audu lauded NMA for their cooperation and collaboration with Kogi State Government through the State Ministry of Health, saying, it has been very cordial in the recent time.
”In this kind of atmosphere, the only event that will dominate the affairs will be accomplishment like this because with peace, there is nothing you cannot achieve.
”I really want to commend the current exco for being able to kick start an age long desire.of NMA Kogi chapter, as it has been the continuous effort of the previous exco.
”I will notify His Excellency, Gov. Yahaya Bello, about this development because in his usual gesture, you know what can come out of such notification.
”I want to appeal to NMA that as I have been part of the foundation laying ceremony today, I also want to be part of the commissioning of the project within the next three years,” he said.
The commissioner promised to convey the message to the governor that indeed, in his tenure, the NMA has come off age to the extent of trying to build a befitting accommodation as ‘NMA House’.
Audu restated that the state government as a matter of necessity would support the wonderful effort of the very courageous, skillful and resilient group of doctors.
He appreciated NMA for considering him as government representative to perform the ground breaking ceremony, while assuring them of his personal contribution to facilitate the rapid development of the project.
”We will continue to cooperate and collaborate in such that the Kogi health sector can be taken to a new height. This is a thing that truly delights my mind,” he said.
In his vote of thanks, Dr Oluwamayowa Kassim, Chairman, Building Committee, thanked the commissioner for honouring their invitation out of his tight scheduled.
”We appreciate you for your ability to come and honour this occasion. We believe in your word that very soon all the promises made to NMA will be fulfilled,” Kassim said.
