By Yekini Jimoh – Lokoja
The Kogi State Deputy Governor, Chief Edward Onoja, has donated a newly built and furnished 2-bedroom apartment to the mother of late Dr Victor Idowu Ahmed, who died of Lassa fever in 2018.
The late Victor Ahmed, a medical doctor at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Lokoja, died of Lassa fever on January 21, 2018, after contracting the virus in the line of duty while trying to save the life of a patient.
Ahmed had just secured placement for housemanship at FMC Lokoja, two months before he contracted the virus.
The deputy governor donated the house as part of his humanitarian gestures to mark his 47th birthday celebration.
The state’s commissioner for Health, Dr Saka Audu, handed over the keys of the furnished two-bedroom bungalow to the mother of the deceased doctor, on behalf of the deputy governor, on Monday at Iruvochinomi community in Adavi Local Government Area of Kogi State.
Audu commended the deputy governor for his humanitarian gesture, noting that such a singular act of goodwill further showed that the new direction policy under the direct guide of His Excellency, Governor Yahaya, was fulfilling her promises.
He added that the governor had directed that not less than 10 members of the deceased doctor’s family be captured under the Kogi State Health Insurance Scheme, particularly under the segment of ”Bello Care”.
The commissioner called all the health workers in the state to continue to give their best, that both the government and people of Kogi State truly appreciate and recognised their contribution to humanity.
He, therefore urged them never to give up or be discouraged, assuring that the government of Alhaji Yahaya Bello, would continue to support the families of those who have lost their lives in servitude to the nation.
The Ohinoyi of Ebira Land, His Royal Majesty, Dr Ado Ibrahim, who was represented by his son, Prince Ahmed-Azad Ado Ibrahim, congratulated the deputy governor on his 47th birthday and for his humility.
He further commended the deputy governor for his act of giving and for his humanitarian gesture towards the family of the deceased doctor and prayed to God to bless him and elongate his life.
Also speaking, Dr Kabiru Zubair, the President of Ebira Doctors’ Forum (EDF), on behalf of the association commended the deputy governor for the kind gesture.
According to Zubair, with this humanitarian gesture the deputy governor had actualised the dream of every doctor for their parents.
”The dream of every doctor is that at the end of your years of training, you want to quickly appreciate your parents by building a befitting house for them.
“So, we thank the Almighty God that today even though Dr Victor Ahmed is not here with us, the deputy governor has helped him to actualise his dream for his parent on his behalf.
“We, therefore for as an association appreciate the deputy governor and we pray that he would continue to move to greater heights within the political strata,” he said.
Zubair, who was the immediate past Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Kogi chapter, further appreciated the deputy governor for his goodwill on behalf of NMA.
He commended the governor for his giant strides in the health sector especially the ongoing construction and rehabilitation of health facilities across the state.
He, however, urged governments to continue to prioritise the welfare of doctors and other health workers both in the state and Nigeria at large.
The Medical Director of FMC Lokoja, Dr Olatunde Alabi, who was represented by the Assistant Director Admin, Mr Abdullahi Abdulrahman, thanked the deputy governor for his good heart towards the masses.
The state Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajia Fatima Buba; the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health Matters, Pharm. Clement Halidu; and the President of Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), FMC Lokoja, Dr Joseph Enejo; all commended the deputy governor for his kind gesture.
The younger brother of the deceased doctor, Moses Ahmed, who spoke on behalf of the family, thanked Kogi Government and everyone that God has used to give succour to their family.
He specifically eulogised the deputy governor for his humanitarian gesture towards their family in putting smiles on their faces and wished him a fulfilling birthday celebration.
The highlight of the occasion was the presentation of keys to the apartment to the mother of the late doctor, Mrs Munirat Ahmed, by the Commissioner for Health, Dr Saka Audu, on behalf of the deputy governor, amidst tears of joy.
