By Thompson Yamput
A group of 50 graduating Medical Doctors on Tuesday expressed gratitude to Kogi Ex-Gov Yahaya Bello, whose scholarship award saved them from quitting their studies.
The medical doctors, who
bagged distinctions in various fields, with some emerging overall best, were full of praises to the former governor’s magnanimity.
In a letter addressed to the Ex-Gov Bello and made available to newsmen in Lokoja, the doctors said that Bello’s divine emergence as Kogi governor in 2016 “saved us from quitting our dreams.”
The letter,signed by Dr. Omeiza Abdulmaleek-Usman and Dr. Onimisi Benedict, was full of praises and commendation to the former governor.
The newly graduated medical doctors, who are indigenes of Kogi, said that the immediate past governor came to their rescue when they thought all hope of becoming medical doctors was lost.
“When we faced the unfortunate challenge of losing accreditation at our former institution, your divine emergence as Governor, swift intervention and the decision to transfer us to other medical schools were not just acts of leadership but of compassion and commitment to the future of Kogi State’s healthcare sector.
“The efforts of your administration in ensuring that we were successfully transferred to institutions where we could complete our medical training is a testament to your dedication to education and the well-being of your citizens.”
According to them, the former governor covered all transfer and tuition fees and ensured they could complete their medical training without financial burden.
They also extended their appreciation to Bello’s successor, Gov. Usman Ododo, Secretary to the State Government, Dr (Mrs) Folashade Ayoade; former Vice Chancellors, Prof Hassan Isah and Prof Muhammed Abdulkadir Sanni; Prof Mariat Tenushe, former provost of the medical college, Prof Margaret Araoye.
They also thanked Prof Akogu Simon, Prof Edino, late Dr Emmanuel Busayo Agbana, Dr Omotosho and other management staff of PAAU for their efforts in facilitating the transfer process.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that doctors were part of the pioneer group transferred from Prince Abubakar Audu University (PAAU) to various universities across Nigeria after the loss of accreditation at their initial institution before the administration of former Gov. Bello.
The graduates, transferred to Ebonyi State University, Kaduna State University, and Usman Danfodio University, Sokoto; highlighted the critical support they received from Bello and the Kogi state government.
Dr. Onimisi Benedict Simpa, who won 11 out of the 20 prizes for the faculty at the Kaduna State University, emerging the overall best graduating student
Dr. Anthony Edogbo, also from Kogi State, emerged the best student in Internal Medicine with a distinction, as well as Best Student in 600L
at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki (Ebonyi State University).
At the Usman Danfodiyo University, another beneficiary of the full scholarship by the former Governor Yahaya Bello administration, Dr. Alfa Uredo Eunice, graduated with a Distinction in Surgery. Dr. Olugbemiro Peters also graduated with a Distinction in Surgery from the same university, among others.
