By Joy Salami
The National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), Kogi State Council, has paid a congratulatory visit to the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Mr. Albert Alabi, as well as appealed for enhanced welfare for optimal service delivery.
The solidarity visit created a forum for the nurses to engage with Permanent Secretary, as part of efforts tailored towards fostering collaboration.
It was equally an avenue to pledge their maximum support towards his successful tenure while appealing to the State Government to address welfare concerns affecting nurses, particularly issues of motivation allowances and manpower shortage in the health sector.
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The delegation, led by the State Chairman of the association, Mr. Sulieman Bako, described Mr. Alabi as a seasoned professional and a rare gem in the nursing profession whose appointment was well deserved.
Bako used the occasion to convey fraternal greetings from the Kogi State Administrative Council of NANNM, noting that members of the association are spread across various health institutions across the state despite the prevailing manpower shortage in the sector.
He said the association considered it a privilege to have one of its own appointed as Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, congratulating Alabi and assuring him of their unwavering support in the discharge of his duties.
The chairman, however, used the opportunity to draw attention to challenges confronting members of the profession in Kogi State, specifically referencing the N300,000 motivation allowance reportedly granted to medical doctors, while making a case for other critical health workers.
In his words, “We are not competing with anyone, but in a healthcare delivery system, no single professional can work alone. Doctors cannot do it alone, and nurses cannot do it alone. It is teamwork. When you are a father of three children, you cannot single out one and leave the others.”
He noted that nurses remain the backbone of healthcare delivery and stressed that improving their welfare would boost morale, especially in the face of acute manpower shortage.
According to him, the health system in the state is grappling with staff attrition, with many workers leaving the service daily while recruitment has remained stagnant for years. He added that there has been no significant employment of nurses in recent years.
“We are aware that the present administration has prioritised education and health for future recruitment. We are appealing that health, particularly nursing, should be given urgent attention. We also want our indigenes to be considered in the employment process,” he said.
The association further called for the domestication and implementation of the circular on extension of service to help retain experienced personnel in the system.
Bako also commended Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo for approving a two-week compulsory mid-term break for school children, describing the decision as a bold move aimed at protecting the future of the state.
Responding, the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Albert Alabi, expressed appreciation to the association for the visit and their show of solidarity.
Alabi thanked Governor Ododo for finding him worthy of the appointment, noting that his emergence was based on merit and outstanding performance.
He assured the association of his readiness to collaborate with them, emphasising the strong link between the health and education sectors.
“The Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education work hand in hand. A healthy child is an educated child. When a child is healthy, he or she can go through the rigours of learning successfully”, he noted.
He highlighted State Government’s commitment to providing accessible and quality education, including free education policies and the payment of examination fees for pupils in public schools.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Education, Hon. Wemi Jones, who hosted the delegation, reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to providing free and inclusive education for all children in public schools across Kogi State.
“Every child who lives in our state must be educated. We are not concerned about where you come from, your religion, or your social status. If you are in a public school, we will educate you for free and pay for your exit examinations,” he said.
He added that education and health are inseparable components of human capital development.
“Whatever concerns the health of our children in schools is of utmost importance to us”, he stated.
The commissioner also expressed readiness to collaborate closely with the nurses’ association in the overall interest of the state.
