Deep Thought

Re: Deaths in London - Need to Halt Medical Tourism By Prof M. K. Othman Health issues matter because being healthy is essential for performing even the most basic human functions. My two-part article on this subject drew comments expressing Nigerians' serious concerns. We have what it takes to provide quality health services comparable to those in the countries we visit and support. So, why can't we tackle the health issue and become an African market for effective health service delivery?  I am sharing some of the comments with my esteemed readers to broaden the discussion; perhaps, our leaders and the wealthy among us can take on the challenge to do what is needed. Happy reading.    Thank you and well done, my Prof. Othman. I hope they'll open their banana leaves to listen to these words of wisdom. The decay in our society from top to bottom has reached a point of no return. Every layer and stratum has been deeply corrupted. It is not that we cannot build state-of-the-...

 Salamatu-WOFAN on Climate Change: Turning Adversity into Prosperity By Prof. M. K. Othman The reality of climate change and its consequences in Nigeria are indisputable, and the only option for the country is to have a sustainable mitigation strategy in place. Climate change has threatened Nigeria's development trajectory, environmental stability, and human security. The impacts are multifaceted, affecting every sector from agriculture to infrastructure, and exacerbating existing socioeconomic vulnerabilities. In recent years, the consequences on agriculture have had devastating effects, resulting in significant losses of lives and property and severely impacting Nigerian food security. Climate change has worsened resource competition, causing pastoralists to migrate south and sparking violent clashes with farmers, which have evolved into banditry and insurgency—an ongoing national disaster.  It has caused devastating floods in many communities. In 2022 and 2023, Nigeria expe...

 StopASUUStrike: Halt Looming-devastating Industrial Dispute By Prof. M. K. Othman Over the weekend, ASUU leadership issued a Riot Act: "address all lingering labour issues in the Nigerian University System to prevent another looming industrial crisis." Nigerian academics are fed up with the government's excuses, which have only resulted in a long list of Memoranda of Understanding/Memoranda of Action (MoUs/MoAs) - 2013, 2017, 2019, 2020 - and have kept them engaged in talks over the renegotiation of the 2009 Agreement for over eight years!" This was announced through its press release. Understandably, this pronouncement was long overdue due to ongoing unrest, anxiety, and frustration across all public universities. The academics feel backed into a corner with only two choices: accept the ongoing hardships, neglect, and mismanagement that threaten the collapse of the university system, or prepare for a complete industrial strike that could last for months without sal...

 Deaths in London: Need to Halt Medical Tourism II By Prof M. K. Othman The involvement of the private sector in building top-tier hospitals, as mentioned earlier, is simply a shortcut to stopping medical tourism in Nigeria. However, the health sector, like education, needs a comprehensive approach after conducting a SWOT analysis. The truth is, Nigerian medical experts are highly sought after in Europe, the Middle East, and the United States. Their stories of excellence not only earn respect and attention but also fill us with pride as Nigerians whenever we meet peers from different nations. These talented Nigerians have worked hard to stand out and have earned the respect of their international colleagues. Some of these medical professionals include Professor Sarki Abba Abdulkadir, Dr. Njideka Udochi, Professor Onyema Ogbuagu, and Professor Iyalla Elvis Peterside, among others. To truly stop medical tourism, we need systemic reforms in our healthcare system.  These medical e...