By Odimayo Olatunde Fredrick
All is now set for the member representing Omala State constituency Hon. Umar Yahaya to flag-off the construction/equipping of Cottage hospital in Ogodu, Omala Local Government Area of Kogi State.
The construction/equipping of cottage hospital in Ogodu, Omala Local Government Area of Kogi State according to Hon. Yahaya is aimed at providing quality health care services for his people at the grassroot.
Speaking to Assembly Correspondent on Wednesday ahead of this laudable project scheduled for 1st June 2024, the first time member in the Kogi State House of Assembly said ” the construction/equipping of Cottage hospital in my constituency will be funded by my humble self.
“It will be cited in Ogodu ward which is the headquarter of Ogodu zone. It is a district that has three wards namely Ogodu, Ojaji and Ola. So, the essence of having that hospital is actually to assist the people at the grassroot who can not afford to have access to private hospitals because of the cost implications. We are all aware that it is actually expensive to have a good quality health facilities.
“This is one of the core reasons why I decided coming up with that particular project. So far, by the special grace of God, I have invited the Executive Governor of Kogi State Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, dignitaries from different works of life, including the lawmakers in the current Assembly to come and witness the flag off of this project which is historic in my Constituency.
“Every constituency have their own peculiar situation. There are people that have this facilities, if you build it for them it will not be useful to them. Where I actually cited this Cottage hospital, they need health facilities that will be very functional, which will attend to pregnant Women within that locality.
” Beyond building and equipping cottage hospital in my constituency, I have gone far by reaching out to some NGO’s who are into medical services to come in and see how they can assist me in providing professional doctors that will work in the hospital.
“It is all about humanitarian services. You don’t need to have much before you give back to the society. Even before I become a member in this hallow chamber, I have been doing this for my people. I felt I don’t need to wait for Government to do it all alone. It is a collective responsibility.
Hon. Yahaya commended Kogi State Governor Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo for approving the construction of over 70 Primary Health Care Centres across the 21 Local Government of the State, adding that, it will help to improve health care service delivery at the grassroots.
Continuing, the Omala Lawmaker said ” With the little I have as an honorable member, I have been able to reach out to my people. The government are also doing their own. If you would recall recently, the State Government made an announcement of building about 70 primary health care centers.
” This is highly commendable. We have a Governor who has foresight in providing the best policies for his people. The building of primary health care across the Local Government will compliment the little things we are doing and reduce maternal mortality rate in our communities”.
He called on public spirited individuals, his colleagues beyond Kogi State to always give back to their society irrespective of their political, ethnic or religious background, stressing that, “By doing so, the Government will also come on board to do the little and it will go a long way for our people”.
The lawmaker also announced the opening of his constituency office on 1st June 2024 to enable him have an interface with his people in a bid to meet their demands in the current 8th Assembly in Kogi State.
Aside his constituency office, the Lawmaker told journalists that plans are on the way to engage youths to stay away from crimes by engaging them in sporting activities which will bring about meaningful development in Omala Local Government.
“Before now, I have a Non-Governmental Organization called Umar empowerment foundation. Every year, I do roll out alot of programmes and one of it is the football tournament which I usually organize for the Youths.
” The purpose of this football tournament is actually to bring all the youths across the 11 wards in my Local Government together. Football is an essential tools that can bring Youths together irrespective of their differences. It is being titled Umar primary foundation unity cup. This competition will further discover raw talents that would represent Kogi State in both national and international competitions” he stated.
He intimated the general public that peace has finally return to Omala Local Government Area of Kogi State.
According to him “Peace has been restored in Omala Local Government. Few days ago, the Nigeria army commander located areas suitable for FOB as I earlier mention some weeks back.
” He went ahead with the Local Government Caretaker committee Chairman to ensure that Omala Local Government will not be a save haven for any criminals in the State. We are much grateful to the State Government under the leadership of Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo for ensuring that my people can now sleep with their two eyes close without any fear of probable attacks from enemies of the State”.
