Elated residents of Owan Federal Constituency, has commended the Prof. Ihonvbere’s Bill on the Establishment of Federal School of Nursing and Midwifery, Sobe in Owan West Local Government Area of Edo State as it passes second reading in the House of Representatives.
Prof. Ihonvbere while leading the debate at PLENARY, stated that the Bill which seeks to establish the Federal College of Nursing and Midwifery, Sobe, Edo State, charged with the responsibility to, among other things, carry out research in the development and adaption of techniques, provide full time courses, teaching, instruction and training of Nigerians aspiring to venture into the nursing profession and other allied disciplines.
While stating the importance of health as one of the top basic human needs, as captured by the provisions of the Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy of the 1999 Constitution, (as amended) and contained in Chapter II, (17) (3): “The State shall direct its policy towards ensuring that there are adequate medical and health facilities for all persons”.
The debate read in part, “It is true that in spite of numerous initiatives and interventions in the country’s political economy, the majority of our people still lack basic human needs such as food, health care, shelter, hygienic environment, access to potable water, sanitation, basic education and an environment that encourages each citizen to reach the highest point of his/her creative and productive abilities”.
“Though all governments in Nigeria since independence have highlighted Health care as a major priority, Nigeria is yet to develop a viable, efficient and accessible health care system for her citizens. Flowing from the above therefore, it is pertinent to give a brief background of the Sobe, a majorly agrarian community in Owan West of Edo State, bordering Ondo State to the Western part of Nigeria. It has no single Federal presence, and the state of the healthcare is generally poor.To receive healthcare, the people of Sobe have to travel to Owo in Ondo State or to Irrua in Edo Central Senatorial District.”
“Mr. Speaker, Honourable colleagues, I cannot begin to relate to you, how many of my people in Sobe have lost their lives in this challenging journey to faraway places to just to see a doctor or see a specialist. No wonder, many pregnant women do not bother about pre-natal care and even fewer receive post-natal attention. This and the emergence of Covid-19 pandemicwhich has seriously exposed dislocations and inefficiencies in our healthcare delivery systems especially for our poor but very hardworking rural folks constitute the driving force behind the sponsoring of this Bill”.
“Furthermore, it is interesting to observe that the two existing Schools of Nursing in the State are located in Benin City, the State capital. It is however instructive to note that the proposed Federal College of Nursing and Midwifery, Sobe would be located in Edo North Senatorial District- the second largest senatorial district in the State. It would serve Edo North, Edo state, Ondo State and Nigeria in general. It would contribute to the replacement of nurses that have left Nigeria in their hundreds for greener pastures and provide dependable basic health care for the people of Nigeria”.
The Lawmaker further maintained that, he is very concerned at the Bill becoming a LAW as the establishment of the school of Nursing and Midwifery will not only bring Medicare closer to the people but also help to mitigate the high maternal and infant mortality rate in Edo State and Nigeria by extension.
Prof. Ihonvbere has further reassured constituents of bringing legislation to the grassroot as he seeks our unalloyed support and prayers towards making OWAN SECOND TO NONE.
