Okowa’s emergence as Atiku’s running mate excites NMA, Okocha

• He’ll revamp ailing health sector, doctors declare • He will make things happen, says Okocha

NIGERIAN Medical Association ( NMA) has expressed delight over the emergence of a medical doctor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, as the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP) vice presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, saying he would address burning issues in the health sector, if his party wins presidential election next year.

Speaking in Port Harcourt at the weekend, the NMA President, Dr. Uche Rowland Ojinmah, said the association would expect Okowa to put on the front burner three major issues the NMA had been talking about, which are stopping brain drain, better remuneration for health workers and improved hospital equipment.

He said: “If, by the grace of God, he emerges as vice president of Nigeria, I expect a vice president that will help us to move forward the burning issues in the health sector. You and I know that today Nigeria is saddled with brain drain as a major problem; medical brain drain is a big problem.

“There is need to stop brain drain, also better remuneration is one of the things I think he should bring. It is sad to inform you that since 2009, there has not been any salary increment in the health sector.”

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IMILALY, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP) in Delta State, Chief A. C. Okocha, who described Okowa as grass- roots politician, said the governor would make things happen if his party wins the presidential election next year.

“I can assure anyone that Senator Ifeanyi Okowa is a grass- roots man, who has seen everything in politics, from being a councillor to council chairman, Secretary to State Government,” said Okocha who is the PDP Elders Forum leader in Delta State.

He added: The people love him because of his humility. He is kind and down to earth. He is one, who has the needed capacity to calm frayed nerves, and people listen to him. I know the governor is a man of integrity who believes in fairness at all times. As a running mate, he is huge plus for Atiku Abubakar.”

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EANWHILE Delta indigenes from Abraka, Ethiope East Council areas of Delta have expressed opti - mism that Okowa will deploy his leadership acu - men to rescue Nigerians from excruciating hardship in the land.

Leaders of the community in a statement, yesterday, in Abuja, signed by Prof.

Andrew Ekakitie, Dr. Kings Okpako, Anthony Edafiogho and Anthony Ajaino, said the selection was a well- deserved one, owing to his wealth of intelligence and great capacity in managing human and material resources.

The statement reads in part: “This is a call to higher service and promotion to the level where your mastertouch leadership acumen would once again be deployed in order to rescue Nigeria and Nigerians from the excruciating hardship that the APC national government has brought on her. We trust in your ability knowing how peaceful and strategic you are.”