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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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    Uzodimma inaugurates IMSUTH, IMSUBEB boards, pledges N20bn for education, healthcare

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    Imo State health and education reforms

    Governor Hope Uzodimma has inaugurated the IMSUTH and IMSUBEB boards, pledging N20bn for healthcare and education reforms in Imo State

     

    Imo State Governor, **Senator Hope Uzodimma**, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to revitalising the **health and education sectors**, describing them as crucial to the well-being and development of the people.

    Also read: Odua investment partners with Iwosan to boost local healthcare

    Speaking at the **inauguration of the boards** of the **Imo State University Teaching Hospital (IMSUTH)** and the **Imo State Universal Basic Education Board (IMSUBEB)** in Owerri, the governor outlined the significant strides his government has made in these sectors since assuming office in 2020.

    Governor Uzodimma revealed that his administration had invested over **₦4 billion** in rehabilitating IMSUTH, **procuring modern medical equipment** and attracting professionals with **local and international medical experience**.

    “IMSUTH was in a **comatose state**, but today, it stands among the top teaching hospitals in Nigeria,” he stated.

    The governor expressed concerns over Nigeria’s **preventable death rate**, attributing about **70% of fatalities** to poor healthcare infrastructure.

    He urged the **newly inaugurated board**, led by **Dr Emmanuel Ogueri**, to leverage their expertise to transform IMSUTH into a centre for **medical excellence**, discouraging **medical tourism abroad**.

    “This is your own. **Help stop medical tourism in Imo**. Bring back your knowledge and experience. Without health, there can be no development,” Uzodimma emphasised.

     

    The newly appointed IMSUTH board members include:

    – **Dr Emmanuel Ogueri** – Chairman
    – **Prof Kelechi Uwakwe** – Chief Medical Director (CMD)
    – **Rev. Fr. Dr Emeka Emekaraoha**
    – **Anyaehie Okameme**
    – **Dr Osita Kingsley Uzoma**

     

    The governor assured the board of **government support** while encouraging collaboration with IMSUTH management.

    Uzodimma also inaugurated the **Imo State Universal Basic Education Board (IMSUBEB)**, tasking the members with **accountability** and **prudent management of funds**.

    He pledged that their **monthly financial reports** would be published for transparency.

    “Your failure is our collective failure; your success is our collective success. **This is not your turn—it is the turn of Imo people**. Change the story, rebuild the schools, and serve as dedicated public servants,” he advised.

    The governor announced that his administration had **cleared all outstanding counterpart funding** obligations, securing **₦20 billion** for **school renovations, teacher recruitment, and improved learning materials**.

     

    New IMSUBEB Board Members

     

    – **Hon Chidiebere Egbo** – Chairman
    – **Arc. Mrs Amaka Onu**
    – **Hon Chuks Metu** – Secretary
    – **Hon Vitalis Obioma**
    – **Hon Edward Obinna**
    – **Mrs Nzeoma Lucy Nkeiru**
    – **Mrs Leticia Amandianeze**

     

    In their acceptance speeches, **Dr Emmanuel Ogueri** and **Hon Chidiebere Egbo** pledged to align with the governor’s vision, ensuring **high-quality healthcare** and **basic education** for Imo residents.

    The event was attended by **Speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Chike Olemgbe**, **Secretary to the State Government, Chief Cosmos Iwu**, **Chief of Staff Barr. Nnamdi Anyaehie**, and other top government officials and stakeholders.

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    FG unveils motherland 2025 to position Nigeria as global cultural, investment hub

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    Nigeria Motherland 2025 initiative

    The Federal Government, in collaboration with Discover Motherland Africa, has launched *Motherland 2025*, a movement to reconnect the African diaspora while boosting Nigeria’s economic and cultural resurgence

     

     

    The **Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy**, in collaboration with **Discover Motherland Africa**, has launched *Motherland 2025*, a transformative initiative aimed at positioning **Nigeria as a global hub for African culture, investment, and tourism**.

    Also read: Mbah moves to make Enugu hub for gaming tourism

    Speaking at the unveiling event in **Abuja Continental Hotel**, Minister **Hannatu Musa Musawa** described *Motherland 2025* as more than a festival—**a movement designed to reconnect the African diaspora while driving Nigeria’s economic and cultural resurgence**.

    “Motherland 2025 is more than a festival—it’s a homecoming. This initiative cements Nigeria’s role as a powerhouse of Black and African identity, commerce, and innovation.”

    >“It is an opportunity for global stakeholders, from investors and policymakers to cultural leaders and travelers, to experience and invest in Nigeria’s resurgence as a cultural and economic powerhouse,” Musawa stated.

    As part of the initiative, the Minister announced the *“See Motherland Through Your Eyes”* competition, inviting **participants to visually capture Nigeria’s landscapes, traditions, and vibrant communities**.

    “This competition celebrates Nigeria’s diversity and spirit. From the **Kelangu drumbeats of the North to the Bata rhythms of the Southwest and the Ogene echoes of the East**, our culture moves like a dance—alive in every moment.”

    The Minister further called on **government agencies, private sector stakeholders, and cultural institutions** to support *Motherland 2025* in making it a **long-term driver of Nigeria’s tourism, creative economy, and investment landscape**.

    “The success of this initiative relies on strong partnerships. We invite policymakers, investors, and development organizations to join us in shaping Nigeria’s tourism, creative economy, and investment landscape.”

    The *Motherland 2025* initiative consists of several major components designed to boost Nigeria’s cultural, tourism, and economic appeal:

    – **Motherland Expo and Festival** – A platform for **cultural exchange, business engagement, and entertainment**, featuring **State Pavilions and Business Exhibitions** showcasing Nigeria’s **36 states and the FCT**.
    – **Closing Concert** – A grand musical event featuring **top Nigerian and international artists**.
    – **Motherland Travel Hub** – A **centralized travel logistics platform** to make exploring Nigeria easier for visitors.
    – **Citizenship by Investment Program** – A unique initiative allowing **diaspora members and foreign investors** to contribute to Nigeria’s development while gaining residency benefits.
    – **Diaspora City** – A **dedicated hub for diasporans to settle and invest in Nigeria**.
    – **Motherland Ambassador Awards** – An **award program recognizing diaspora leaders** making significant contributions in various fields.

     

    **Chidinma Nwankwo**, Managing Director of **Discover Motherland Africa**, emphasized that *Motherland 2025* is **not just a festival, but a landmark movement reconnecting Nigerians abroad while unlocking cultural pride and investment opportunities**.

    “Motherland is a homecoming, a journey, and a commitment. This December, we invite the global diaspora to experience Nigeria like never before—not just as visitors, but as participants in a redefined vision of tourism.”

    “Whether you are part of the diaspora, a first-generation Nigerian, or someone who has never set foot in Nigeria, this is your invitation to engage, contribute, and become part of something bigger.”

    With *Motherland 2025*, Nigeria aims to **strengthen its identity as the centre of global Black and African culture** while **unlocking investment opportunities and fostering economic development**.

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    Dees Travels Chairman advocates stronger tourism policies to unlock Nigeria’s potential

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    Nigeria Tourism, Dees Travels, Dirty December, Economic Growth, Tourism Policies

    Professor Sunday Adebisi, Chairman of Dees Travels, urges the Nigerian government to implement stronger tourism policies to boost economic growth, highlighting the sector’s potential to surpass Dubai as a premier travel destination

     

    The **Chairman of Dees Travels**, **Professor Sunday Adebisi**, has called for **robust tourism policies** to help Nigeria realise its full potential as a **global travel destination**.

    Speaking at the company’s **get-together party** in **Lagos**, Adebisi noted that **Nigeria has all it takes to compete with top destinations like Dubai** if the right policies are put in place.

    Highlighting the economic impact of the **“Dirty December”** festivities, which reportedly generated **over $100 million** in revenue, Adebisi stressed that Nigeria could attract **global tourists year-round** if the sector is well-structured.

    > *“If we get our tourism sector right, the potential is limitless. Nigeria could surpass Dubai and become the premier destination in Africa. With 365 days of summer, there’s no reason tourists can’t flock to Nigeria all year,”* he stated.

    While acknowledging the efforts of the **current administration**, Adebisi urged **more government investment** in tourism and aviation to maximise their economic benefits.

    Similarly, **Group Managing Director Daisi Olotu** echoed these sentiments, arguing that **aviation and tourism require greater attention** to boost Nigeria’s **economic growth**.

    *“The current government is trying its best, but if aviation gets the attention it deserves, it will generate more money for operators, agents, and the economy at large.

    Tourism has the potential to generate vast amounts of income, and if Nigeria wants to compete globally, it must prioritise these sectors,”* Olotu noted.

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