Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) Marks 62nd Anniversary with Special presentation on Brain Drain

AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM

SPONSORED BY: H&H

The Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH, Wednesday marked its 62nd anniversary at a forum where administrators proffered suggestions on how to stem the tide of brain drain in the medical sector.

The Chief Medical Director, Prof Wasiu Adeyemo said the dedication and commitment of the hospital’s staff enabled LUTH to survive the pangs of brain drain.

“Whatever successes we celebrate today would not have been possible without the hard work and resilience of the hospital staff,” he stated.

Keynote speaker, Prof. Chris Bode highlighted the growing phenomenon of brain drain, locally known as the “Japa syndrome”, which refers to fleeing from hardship with no intention of returning.

This trend is increasingly visible among Nigerian healthcare professionals, many of whom are seeking better opportunities abroad.

Professor Bode noted that migration is a global phenomenon affecting all species, but in Nigeria’s case, it has serious consequences for the healthcare sector.

“We are losing doctors and nurses after investing significant resources in training them,” he said, and warned that the country faces a critical shortage, with one doctor for every 4,000 Nigerians—far below the World Health Organization’s recommended ratio of one doctor per 600 people.

Citing recent data, Prof. Bode stressed that Nigeria needs at least 240,000 doctors to meet healthcare demands, but current production rates suggest that the country will still be short in 100 years without drastic changes.

He lamented the paradox of unemployed doctors despite nationwide shortages, attributing the problem to the concentration of medical professionals in urban centers as Lagos and Abuja.

The former chief medical director fingered poor remuneration as the leading cause of migration, with 91% of healthcare workers citing dismal pay as their reason for leaving.

“How can someone spend nearly 30 years in training only to earn a pittance?” Prof. Bode asked, warning that if the trend continues, more staff may leave to worsen Nigeria’s healthcare crisis.

He also blamed poor working conditions, insecurity, and a lack of career prospect as additional push factors.

Prof Bode also touched on cultural challenges faced by Nigerian professionals abroad, including racism and loneliness. “Some people thrive overseas, but others struggle with isolation,” he said, stressing the importance of self-awareness by individuals considering migration.

While acknowledging the benefits of migration—such as remittances, advanced training, and better living conditions—Professor Bode questioned the long-term impact.

He concluded by urging the government to improve salaries, working conditions, and rural infrastructure to encourage healthcare workers to stay. “If we want different results, we must do things differently,” he emphasized.

Sundry speakers agreed on the need for collective action to address the brain drain crisis and reposition Nigeria’s healthcare sector for sustainable growth.

The highlight of the event was the recognition of the best clinical department and non-clinical department in the past year.

PRESIDENT TINUBU CELEBRATES OLORI ONIKEPO OLUFUNMIKE AKANDE ON HER 80TH BIRTHDAY

AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM

SPONSORED BY: H&H

President Bola Tinubu congratulates Olori Onikepo Olufunmike Akande, OON, CON, as she joyfully marks her 80th birthday on 29 October.

A true pioneer, Onikepo  Akande holds the honour of being Nigeria’s first female Minister of Industry and the second female President of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce & Industry.

In celebrating her, President Tinubu highlights Olori Akande’s trailblazing record and her contributions to Nigeria’s public and private sectors.

Affectionately known as Nike, she is revered not only as an exceptional leader but also as the Iyalaje Iyalode of Ibadanland, a devoted wife to Oba Adebayo Akande, the Ekaarun Olubadan of Ibadanland, a proud mother, and beloved grandmother.

In the early 1990s, she served as a director of the National Insurance Corporation of Nigeria (NICON) and the Nigeria Industrial Development Bank (NIDB), now known as the Bank of Industry. She was also a member of the Board of Trustees of the National Centre for Women Development in Abuja from 1992 to 1994.

President Tinubu commends her exceptional service as a boardroom player, public administrator, community leader, philanthropist, and business executive.

President Tinubu also praises Nike Akande for her tenure as Minister of Industry, acknowledging her dedication and commitment to driving progress in the nation.

Her remarkable career, bolstered by her Harvard education and expertise in investment, has earned her numerous national and international accolades, particularly in empowering women in commerce and entrepreneurship.

The President expresses deep gratitude to Nike Akande for her unwavering commitment to mentoring and uplifting others, asserting she is a role model to countless women across Nigeria.

He honours the Iyalaje Iyalode of Ibadanland as a symbol of beauty, diligence, courage, affection, and kindness. President Tinubu also notes her exemplary role as a supportive wife to a respected traditional ruler and as a mother whose children have achieved great success.

The President prays to God Almighty to bless Nike Akande with continued health and longevity, allowing her to share her inspiring life story and encourage others to embrace optimism and resilience.

…Commends Agency’s Public-Private Partnerships

AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM

SPONSORED BY: H&H

The Managing Director/CEO of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, has hinted at plans to ban textile waste at all landfills across the state, noting that it is a valuable resource that can be recycled to earn income.

He made this disclosure at the Lagos Fashion Week, organised by Style House Files, in collaboration with the Circular Business Platform and the Office of the Lagos State Special Adviser on Climate Change and Circular Economy, held at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island.

Speaking on the theme, “Fostering a Sustainable Fashion Ecosystem,” as part of the Nigeria-Netherlands Exchange Programme for a circular fashion industry, Gbadegesin emphasised that addressing textile waste was crucial for building a more sustainable and equitable fashion industry, given that it is an essential component of the 13,000 metric tonnes of waste generated daily in the state.

He said: “Having discovered the significant environmental impact of textile waste dumped at our landfills, which comprises about 8 percent of the waste deposited, along with its contribution to resource depletion, and the potential for creating economic and social benefits through sustainable solutions like recycling, upcycling, and responsible consumption, we have decided to ban textile waste at all our landfills. This will take effect in three months.

“We are already in partnership with Tejuosho Market in Yaba, where we will collect the waste and transfer it to companies involved in textile recycling. At LAWMA, we believe in practicing what we preach, and we’ve demonstrated this through the students who have come to learn waste management at the LAWMA Academy. Before their graduation, they learned upcycling with textile waste, producing beautiful items from the waste. Our goal is to continue advocating for sustainability practices, and we hope to engage in projects that promote circularity,” he stated.

In his opening remarks, the Deputy Consul General of the Netherlands, Mr. Peter Keulers, commended LAWMA and Lagos State for their relentless efforts in keeping the state clean.

In a related development, the LAWMA boss described public-private partnerships as the cornerstone of the agency’s activities.

He made this statement as a panelist on the topic “Public-Private Partnerships for Environmental Solutions” at the Fresh Perspectives Event 2024, organised by Betaglass Plc, in Victoria Island.

Reflecting on LAWMA’s successful partnerships and their impacts, Gbadegesin noted that public-private partnerships had helped the Authority fulfill its mandate, driving more innovations in the waste management sector.

“For us in LAWMA, everything we do is through partnerships. As you all know, we manage the waste of over 22 million people in the state. One of our most successful partnerships is with the hundreds of PSP operators who help us collect waste from households and companies. We are also in partnership with nearly a thousand cleaning companies, managing thousands of street sweepers. These sweepers work tirelessly every day. They are our heroes,” he stressed.

The LAWMA boss further stated that several Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) partnerships, initiated by both private and public organizations, have resulted in the donation of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and uniforms for sweepers.

“Here in LAWMA, we have a department in charge of partnerships, and they have been doing fantastic work. We have partnered with some banks to adopt streets, where they donate uniforms for the sweepers maintaining those routes. The Authority recently partnered with a waste-to-energy firm, and we are establishing a waste-to-energy plant in Epe. We are also in partnership with Zoomlion, a Ghanaian company, which will help us decommission the Olusosun dumpsite. We know there is great potential in partnerships that can foster job creation and a brighter future,” Gbadegesin added.

Earlier, the Chief Executive Officer of Betaglass, Mr. Alexandra Gendis, emphasized the need to support the creative aspirations of Nigerian youths to drive major economic emancipation.

Other dignitaries at the event included the Managing Director of Wecyclers, Mr. Wale Adebiyi; the General Manager of the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), Dr. Babatunde Ajayi; and the head of Betaglass Plc, Ms. Sharin Sweet, among others.

For waste management related issues and complaints, please call LAWMA toll-free numbers: 080000LAWMA (08000052962), 07080601020 and 617, or Lawma.gov.org