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    Medical Tourism: Lawmakers Vow To Boost Enrollment In Medical Schools

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    The House Committee on Health Institutions have said that they would simplify the enrollment process into medical schools in the country inorder to have sufficient manpower to reverse medical tourism.

    Chairman of the Committee, Dr. Amos Magaji stated this during an oversight visit of the Committee to National Hospital, Abuja on Tuesday, November 7, 2023.

    Magaji said they were passionate about healthcare delivery in Nigeria, adding that one of the cardinal points made in his inaugural speech was the issue of medical tourism. To this he said, “we lost and we must do everything possible to reverse the trend.

    “We must get people to start coming from different parts of the world and reduce the number of Nigerians going outside the country for treatment, let it be that Nigerians go to seek medical intervention abroad by choice. We have to wake up because, no matter who you are, when you are sick, you need somebody to treat you.

    “We will be glad to have our hospitals functional and our systems working. We’ll be glad to have others come to Nigeria for treatment.

    “In this 10th assembly, we’ll do everything possible to support the healthcare system. We’ll do everything to support the delivery, equipment of our hospitals, the PPP arrangement, those that the hospital are able to procure and those to be through intervention”, he said.

    Magaji noted that, even the budget for health was very poor, he averred that the health care system needed some urgent intervention:

    “Some were done during covid and of course covid exposed the Nigerian healthcare system because it also helped to revamp some of the hospitals, many hospitals before covid didn’t even have an oxygen plant but they do now.

    “We also want to ensure that human resources for health starting from the medical schools, making enrollment into the medical schools easy.

    “We’re going to engage the government and legislate to see how the practice of medicine in Nigeria attractive, competitive so others from different countries can come and practice medicine in Nigeria”, he said.

    Meanwhile, Chief Medical Director, National Hospital, Prof. Mahmud Raji informed that the Hospital had seen a lot of changes, from the time when things were beautiful and rosy to now when they were a bit hard, yet, despite that, the staff of the hospital were doing their best to ensure they give Nigerians the best.

    Speaking on the challenges of the hospital, Prof. Raji said, “when the hospital came into being 24, 25 years ago, it had the state of the art equipment, state of the art facilities and state of the art staff but as time went on, the level of attention given to the hospital declined steadily.

    “The great mandate of being the apex hospital where even tertiary hospitals should refer to has been the mandate given to us several years ago.

    “We are trying to live up to that expectation but in the last decade or two, unfortunately, things have not been as rosy because we know from the economic hardship the country is going through, national Hospital is not immune.

    “The financial availability to the hospital dwindled, income dwindled and as a result, a number of facilities in the country went down as a result of lack of maintenance , the structures have also gotten a bit dilapidated”, he said.

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    Mac Folly MD Chike Ogeah Calls for National Tourism Masterplan to Boost Nigeria’s Hospitality Sector

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    Chike Ogeah tourism masterplan Nigeria

    Chike Ogeah, MD of Mac Folly Hospitality, has urged the Nigerian government to develop a comprehensive tourism masterplan to drive economic growth and elevate the nation’s tourism potential.

     

     

    Chike Ogeah, the managing director of Mac Folly Hospitality, has emphasised the need for a national tourism masterplan to unlock Nigeria’s tourism potential.

    Ogeah highlighted how a well-structured plan could transform the hospitality sector by capitalising on the nation’s natural attractions, such as the Ikogosi Warm Springs and Jankari Game Reserve.

     

    Also read: Lagos, NATOP Join forces to showcase tourism at world travel market

     

    Ogeah, formerly with Skyway Aviation Holding Company Limited (SAHCO), suggested that a partnership between government and private enterprises would enhance tourism sites by integrating top-tier hospitality services.

    Citing the Sun City model in South Africa, he proposed establishing major hospitality brands alongside key tourist sites to enhance visitor experiences.

    Emphasising Mac Folly’s commitment to growth, Ogeah shared plans to expand with two additional hotels in Lagos and Abuja, despite rising diesel prices and other operational challenges.

    This, he noted, would contribute to Nigeria’s hospitality landscape, with Marriot’s involvement aimed at elevating service standards and capacity.

    A national tourism masterplan could pave the way for more organised private sector partnerships and targeted government investments, driving Nigeria’s economic growth and job creation potential through tourism.

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    Julius Agenmonmen foundation launches first medical outreach in Nigeria, transforming lives in Edo, Delta

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    Julius Agenmonmen Foundation medical outreach

    The Julius Agenmonmen Foundation launched its first medical outreach in Edo and Delta, offering essential healthcare services to over 2,000 residents.

     

     

    The Julius Agenmonmen Foundation (JAF) has successfully launched its first community medical outreach, providing critical healthcare services to over 2,000 residents in Ubulu-Uku, Delta State, and Uromi, Edo State.

    The outreach, conducted from 13–17 September in partnership with Zuri Health, included comprehensive services such as dental and eye care, laboratory testing, general consultations, and pharmacy support.

     

    Also read: Nigerians spend $2.38m on foreign healthcare services in first half of 2024

     

    In an interview, co-founder Dr Uche Agenmonmen highlighted the importance of this outreach in addressing healthcare needs for those who often lack access to essential medical services.

    “We are reaching those in our society who don’t have access to quality healthcare. Focusing on eye care, we aim to help people enjoy good vision throughout their lives, preventing blindness in these communities,” she said.

    JAF, a non-profit established by Julius Agenmonmen and Dr Uche Agenmonmen, is committed to improving healthcare accessibility across underserved areas of Nigeria.

    The foundation’s mission took root after Julius Agenmonmen pledged during his 60th birthday to give back by improving healthcare services in local communities.

    In April 2023, this pledge led to the donation of advanced eye diagnostic equipment to St. Camillus Hospital in Uromi, where Julius was born, symbolising his journey of giving back.

    By December 2023, the foundation’s contributions had benefited over 1,000 patients, significantly impacting eye care access for the Esan community and surrounding regions.

    Reflecting on the outreach, Julius Agenmonmen expressed his deep gratitude and desire to support those less fortunate. “Last year, my wife and I founded the Julius Agenmonmen Foundation to give back to society.

    Having faced health challenges myself, I was blessed to have resources for treatment. We wanted to thank God for our blessings, and we knew that helping the underserved was the best way to do so,” he shared.

    The foundation plans to expand its reach, ensuring accessible and high-quality healthcare for more people in need across Nigeria.

    Through JAF’s ongoing initiatives, the foundation aims to bridge the healthcare gap in underserved communities, providing residents with vital resources to enhance their well-being.

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    Renovation of Ibadan’s iconic Cocoa House marks a new chapter for Nigeria’s first skyscraper

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    Cocoa House renovation Ibadan

    Cocoa House in Ibadan has undergone its first major renovation in 59 years, symbolising a renewed commitment to preserving Nigerian heritage.

     

     

    Ibadan’s historic Cocoa House, Nigeria’s first skyscraper, has undergone its first renovation in nearly six decades, a project marked as a significant milestone in the legacy of the landmark.

    The revitalised structure, located in Oyo State, was officially commissioned on Thursday, featuring a redesigned reception area, an upgraded car park, and enhanced surroundings.

     

    Also read: Leboku Festival: Gov Otu reiterates commitment to boost tourism ecosystem

     

    Governor Seyi Makinde, represented by Chief of Staff Segun Ogunwuyi at the ceremony, expressed his administration’s dedication to initiatives that honour the South-West region’s legacy.

    “We must continue to uplift the legacies of our predecessors and foster progress through collaborative efforts. This building is a testament to our shared heritage and economic potential, and its renovation is a symbol of both our past achievements and our future aspirations,” Makinde said.

    Odu’a Investment Company Limited (OICL), led by Chairman Bimbo Ashiru, oversaw the renovations as part of its commitment to preserving the region’s heritage.

    Speaking at the event, Ashiru described Cocoa House as a symbol of Western Nigeria’s economic resilience and noted that the renovations, including the addition of a modern office space on the 21st floor, would ensure its relevance in a changing landscape.

    “Today, as we stand before this historic edifice, we are reminded of the importance of honouring our past while building for the future,” Ashiru stated.

    Cocoa House, originally completed in 1965, represents the economic vision of the region’s founding fathers, built from revenues generated by Nigeria’s once-thriving cocoa industry.

    The building’s modernisation preserves this symbol of agricultural and economic success, emphasised by OICL’s Group Managing Director, Abdulrahman Yinusa. He noted, “As Nigeria’s first skyscraper, Cocoa House is intertwined with the success of the agricultural sector, particularly cocoa, which was once the backbone of our economy.

    This commissioning represents our commitment to ensuring that Cocoa House remains a place of pride and a functional space for future generations.”

    The renovation ceremony attracted dignitaries from across the South-West, including representatives of the five state governors and the Chairman of the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria Commission, Seye Oyeleye.

    These leaders joined to celebrate Cocoa House’s renewal, signalling a shared vision of preserving history while adapting for future growth.

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