Sam Philip
A former Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, has called for adequate funding of the nation’s health sector to stop brain drain in the secor.
He stated thin on Tuesday at the 81st birthday ceremony of Senator Bode Olajumoke in Akure, Ondo State capital.
The medical practitioner turned politician noted that if government policies in the health sector are adequately funded and pursued with needed determination, it would stem mass emigration of health personnel in the country .
He acknowledged the deficit in health personnel, saying it’s creating lapses in healthcare provision.
Dr. Mimiko said Africa must come to the realisation that it has moved from being “involuntarily conquered to being voluntarily conquered.”
He stated this while delivering a lecture entitled: “Conqueror, Conquered and Consequences: A Discourse on Brain Drain,” at an event organised by Bode Olajumoke Education & Hospitality initiative, (BOEHI) in commemoration of the 81st birthday of Senator Bode Olajumoke,
While proffering solutions to the menace, Dr. Mimiko suggested that people at the helm of affairs of the nation should “create circumstances and environment that will ensure that our brain is available for our services and development.”
He further said: “Medical Health Revamp – System-wide reform anchored on increased funding” is the very first step towards preventing and reducing emigration of medical personnel from Nigeria, which he said posed serious threat to the nation’s health sector.
The medical practitioner, who later delved into politics , emphasized the implementation of the 15 percent Budgetary Allocation to Health in the Abuja 2021 declaration is a grand step needed to be taken contrary to the 5 percent maximum ever allocated to health so far.
He also noted that the huge human and material losses by Africa are the lot of the emigrating destinations which renders famed gains almost inconsequential in the long run.
Although he acknowledged diasporan remittances, some skill transfer and advancing technology among others are identified as gains of emigration, Dr. Mimiko posited that the impact of such gains on Africa and the Nigerian society might have been largely eroded by illicit financial flow from Africa and the unquantifiable toll of incompetence on the health sector as a result of the emigration of the brightest and best brains in the sector.
Applauding the National Policy on Health Workforce Migration (2023) as a stand alone effort of Nigeria, he described these as commendable strategies needed to be “translated into fruition, through political will, which will engender and encompass uninterrupted, adequate funding and policy consistency in the health sector.”
Mimiko however said one big poser remains: and that is if we can find needed patriotic fervor to frontally pursue identified solutions in the face of unresolved debate on the legitimacy of the constitution, lack of consensus on the acceptable structure of national cohesion and current state of security.
However, former governor Mimiko recommendations, among others, the urgent need to rework the document of association of Nigeria, by whatever name it is called to devolve more power to the federating units and the need to legalise state and local policing as a means of tackling insecurity.
Meanwhile, in his address, Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, who was represented by his Deputy, Dr. Olayide Adelami, notee that “poverty, inequality and lack of access to education and healthcare are just a few of the pressing issues that require our collective attention and actions.”
According to him, “It is in this context that Senator Olajumoke’s legacy serves as a beacon of hope and inspiration. His commitment to serving others, guided by his faith and values, has made a lasting impact on countless lives.
“I must say that our administration is proud to identify itself with Senator Olajumoke’s commitment to promoting human welfare and dignity.
“This aligns with our various policies and programmes aimed at improving the lives of the citizens, including initiatives in education, healthcare and economic empowerment.
“I have no doubt that Dr. Mimiko’s lecture will provide valuable insights into this pressing issue and engender meaningful discussions.
“As a seasoned politician and former Governor, Dr. Mimiko’s insights will, undoubtedly, shed light on the complexities of brain drain and its implications for our society.
“I believe that the lecture will contribute to a better understanding of the challenges facing our society. As we move forward, it is essential that we work together to address these challenges and build a brighter future for our citizens.”
Aiyedatiwa, therefore, pledged that the State Government would collaboration with the Bode Olajumoke Education and Hospitality Initiative in any way possible.
He said: *We share a common goal and noble objectives of promoting human welfare and dignity and we look forward to exploring ways in which we can work together.
“The initiative’s focus on education and hospitality is particularly noteworthy, as these are critical areas that require our collective attention.
“I express our gratitude to Senator Olajumoke for his contributions to Nigeria and Ondo State.”
The celebrant, Dr. Bode Olajumoke thanked God for sparing his life till date, praying that God will give him long life to continue to impact lives.
Olajumoke, also appreciated the state governor, Dr Lucky Aiyedatiwa and others for celebrating him.
Moreover, the Chairman of the occasion, a former Chief of Staff to the late governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, Chief Olugbenga Ale, appreciated the organizers for the lecture and the choice of the former governor Mimiko.
Ale, prayed God to grant the celebrant long life to continue to impact lives.