Health Minister Inaugurates Ebonyi’s N350m Lassa Fever Centre

The  N350 million Lassa Fever Virology Diagnostic and Treatment Centre built by  the Ebonyi State Government has been inaugurated by the Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole.

Adewole, who was in company with his Agriculture counterpart, Chief Audu, Ogbeh and Ebonyi State Governor David Umahi,  during the ceremony, said he was excited that a state government could embark on such a life-saving centre without any prompting by the Federal Government.

He said the Federal Government would run the facility in partnership with the state to ensure its success,  adding that the centre would be  converted to South- East Diagnostic and Treatment centre.

He said, ‘’I am actually short of words; I am yet to recover from shock over this giant stride. This actually surpasses my expectations and I must say clearly that we should see this as a partnership. 

‘’Let me say clearly, Your Excellency that we will make this hospital functional. We stated in January that we want to build six virology centres in the country and the budget processes were made and was signed by Mr. President in May.

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‘’This will be the centre for South-East. We need to partner with the CMD of FETHA  and your state Ministry of Health . We should use the N350m you ask us to refund for the  procurement of more equipment for the centre."

The minister  hailed  Governor Umahi's commitment to the health sector, saying he is star model in the country.

‘’This centre will actually turn things around. Your Excellency, you have shown great interest in health and we are proud of you. In terms  of commitment to health, you are one of our stars examples in the country. We will continue to partner with you,’’  he said.

Earlier,  Umahi, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Emma Anya  said he was moved to build the centre when he started seeing  people die  of lassa fever virus.

He said, ‘’ The health of our people is very paramount to our administration.

We watched helplessly our people dying of this deadly disease and so the CMD told us that for over 10 years, they have been begging that this centre be built and we have to swing into action.

‘’What we request of you is to make this place South-East diagnosis and treatment. In doing that sir, you will make the hospital to run on its own.

‘’We spent about N350 million with all the equipment together. With this N350m, we can treat other people  from outside Ebonyi but if you don’t refund us the money, when people come we charge them. ’’

Ebonyi's One-man, One hectare Agric Programme Begins As Youths Get Cheques

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, on Monday flagged of the Governor David Umahi  administration's   one-man, one hectare agricultural programme in the state.

The ocassion which was  witnessed by the  Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adawele, was kick started with  the planting of palm trees at Ezillo Farm and a symbolic tree of peace at Ishielu Local Government Area headquarters. The symbolic tree was  to commemorate a  peace agreement between Ezillo and Ezza-Ezillo.

Speaking at the Abakaliki Township Stadium  where thousands of women and youths had gathered to witness   the grand finale of  events,  Ogbeh pledged Federal Government's support to Ebonyi State in its agricultural programme.

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He said, "We are going to bring machinery here. We hope that before we round up, there will be a major industrial starch plant in this state. We also believe that we will  let you have some cassava flour processing plants, especially  for cassava, fufu, very nice food to eat. We shall bring you another crop, cashew nut, because the demand for cashew nut in the  international market is high. You are famous for rice production, but you are going to be more famous when we bring our programme for implementation.

"Today, I assure you that  we shall join hands with you to make your rice production plan  work. We shall make sure you get the best seed, especially the F.44. It is about the national standard we have because in Nigeria today, there are over 70 varieties of rice. We cannot grow all."

The minister, who also promised to bring rice harvesters and threshers to Ebonyi State, commended Governor Umahi for the robust agricultural programme, especially the  one-man,  one-hectare policy.

Challenging politicians and civil servants to have a second address in agriculture, he said that   poverty in the country was not acceptable.

He explained that there was hunger in the country today because Nigerians had been lazy in the past by focussing on oil and importation of everything, including toothpicks. 

  "What your governor is doing is going to be strongly supported by us. We shall support you with good seeds. And before the year runs out for the rice harvest, we shall bring in small machines to help you harvest your rice. And for those of you civil servants, politicians and so on going into agriculture, should take the business seriously," a statement by Umahi's Chief Press Secretary Emma Anya quoted the minister as saying.

Ogbeh, who in company with Umahi, later gave out a symbolic cheque to one of the beneficiaries of the state's youth and women empowerment programme,  told the youth that the governor, had by his actions "handed over the key to prosperity" to them.

Umahi had in his opening remarks explained that the agricultural programme   was aimed at ensuring food security for the state and the country. He said his administration had among others,   procured   40  tractors, distributed  farm seedlings and gotten soft loans for  genuine farmers in the state.