The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate says the Federal Ministry of Health was ready to support the training of human capital resources at the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo to produce quality human resources.
Professor Pate gave the assurance at the maiden public lecture series of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo. He stated that human capital was key since it drives every other resource.
Represented by his Special Adviser on Health Matters, Dr. Emmanuel Odu, the minister maintained that if human capital was not in place, every other resource will either be wasted or be translated to nothing.
The minister explained that the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo was positioned to contribute to the agenda of the federal government by producing quality human resources and also engage in research, information and evidence that will be used for better implementation of health care delivery.
Guest Speaker at the event and Vice Chancellor, Federal University of Health Sciences Otukpo, Professor Innocent Ujah, who gave a historical background about the institution, said the journey of the institution started like a journey to the unknown and cloud of uncertainty.
He said after securing approval during Dr. Goodluck Jonathan’s presidency, the project was however stalemated upon coming on board of President Muhammadu Buhari who later gave a go ahead for the full take off of the institution. Ujah appreciated the efforts of former President of the Senate, David Mark for ensuring that the dream of the university was a reality.
In a lecture titled “Pioneering the first Federal University of Health Sciences in Nigeria: The Excitement, the Expectations and Challenges”, the pioneer vice chancellor told the gathering that the announcement of the establishment of the university was made on May 20th, 2015 at the 11th meeting of the Federal Executive Council meeting under President Goodluck Jonathan’s presidency.
The vision of the university, the vice chancellor explained, was to be a world-class institution for learning, scientific research and innovation for developing the next generation of healthcare providers.
The mission, the pioneer vice chancellor disclosed, was to build capacity of healthcare professionals through integrated medical education, professional skills and research providing access to high quality healthcare services.
While lamenting the vaccum the retirement, resignation and death of some lecturers in the institution have created where many courses are without lecturers, Professor Ujah appealed to the federal government to grant a waiver to allow the university to either recruit new staff or replace staff that have left the institution.
In a goodwill message, the Ochi Idoma, His Royal Majesty, Chief Elaigwu Odugbo, pledged unalloyed support of Idoma Traditional Council to the university for it to succeed.
In a remark, the former President of the Senate, Senator David Mark, represented by one of his daughters, Mrs. Oowo Ameh, commended the voice Chancellor, Professor Ujah for nursing the dream to reality.
The former two term Senate President said the university, which started like a joke, has grown within a record time. He presented an award of excellence to the vice chancellor in recognition of his efforts at ensuring thoroughbred healthcare professionals.
