At NMA games, Amosun promises facelift to MKO Abiola stadium

The governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun has expressed readiness of his administration to give a facelift to the MKO Abiola stadium in Abeokuta, the state capital.

He gave this assurance at the start of the fourth edition of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) National Games in Abeokuta.

The event tagged “Ogun 2018” features nine games that include football, basketball, volley ball, tennis, table tennis, badminton, chess, Scrabble, and draughts

Amosun who made the remark while welcoming the president of the Nigerian Football Federation, Amaju Pinnick said the state government would soon upgrade the pitch in the stadium to acceptable standard.

Flagging off the games, the governor noted that doctors are operating at a difficult period in the nation and rendering great services despite the limited resources available for them to work with.

Noting that the event is a welcome development, he described it as a good avenue to discover prodigious talents in sport for the nation.

President, NMA, Prof. Mike Ogirima in his address noted that the association has identified the strategic need to address incidents of death among doctor stating that this year alone, they have lost ten doctors.

He said in Nigeria, doctors are generally stressed due to the poor ratio of health workers to the population.

Ogirima called for government at all levels to upgrade hospitals in the country saying medical tourism must come to an end.

Also speaking, Chairman, NMA National Sports Committee, Dr. Uche Ojinmah stated the major reason behind the games was to allow doctors practice what they preach. He said the games provided a relaxed atmosphere for creation and sustenance of physical fitness and healthy rivalry off the hospital and academic terrain where comradeship could be forged and strengthened.

He said for the first time in the history of the game, other health workers are participating in the games.

Ojinmah who noted that, this is first step in the push to create Nigerian Health Workers’ games said NMA believed that with the move, unhealthy rivalry in the sector would be diffused.

At the event, Chairman, NMA Ogun and Local Organising Committee, Dr. Abayomi Olajide promised that variety of events are lined up for the games including a welcome cocktail, city tour, visit to history places in Abeokuta such as Olumo Rock, Adire Market, Wild life park and Cinema.

Dignitaries at the event include Senator Olorunimbe Mamora, former Lagos State commissioner of Health, Dr. Leke Pitan, and Ogun State commissioners.