By Kelvin Ebiri
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike says the support of his administration to PAMO University of Medical Sciences, Port Harcourt since its inception has proven to be worthwhile therefore, not misplaced.
The governor stated that in its five years of establishment; from 2018 to 2023, PAMO University of Medical Sciences is being celebrated because of the quality of students it has groomed already, and the satisfying growth it has witnessed.
Governor Wike who spoke on Wednesday before the inauguration of PAMO Teaching Hospital in Iriebe Town of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, said the institution is the first private university established in Rivers State.
The governor attributed the visible success story to the characteristic commitment, passion, and sense of purpose known by the founder of the university, Dr. Peter Odili.
According to him, Dr. Odili, after his years as governor of Rivers State, did not retire or relocate to Abuja to join an association of former governors, but established PAMO University to offer more service to society.
“So many States have money, how many have been able to put it for people to see that yes, you have money? So having money is a different thing.
“You may have money but may not be able to use that money for the good of the people. So, this is what public officers should always learn that you still have a lot to serve mankind.”
Governor Wike recalled the criticism that greeted his administration’s support to PAMO University, but similar support will be given to Wigwe University, being the second of such private tertiary institutions established in the State.
According to him, he has promised to reconstruct an access road to Wigwe University and assured that any other such investment will also attract State government support.
Governor Wike expressed the hope that with the tremendous work, PAMO University is doing, coupled with the College of Medical Sciences at the Rivers State University, the state will not only be a training hub for medical professionals, but export such experts to the rest of the country.
The governor stressed that already the incoming administration of Sir Siminialayi Fubara is aligned with the glowing vision, and will steer affairs of state and do better than what has been recorded in his tenure.
Governor Wike donated N500M to PAMO University as an encouragement to do more good work in promoting quality tertiary medical education.
In his address, Founder of PAMO University of Medical Sciences, Dr. Peter Odili stated that the institution announced its establishment on 10th February 2018.
Since then, he noted, Governor Wike floated a State government annual scholarship scheme for at least 100 indigenous students.
But after the first year of implementation, he emphasized, the number of benefiting students increased subsequently, and to date, the State is not indebted to the institution.
“What the governor has done is invaluable, unquantifiable and we cannot put a figure on it.
And so, the PAMO family; PAMO Educational Foundation, PAMO Clinics and Hospital Ltd, PAMO University of Medical Science, the Board of Trustees, and Governing Council, and Board of Directors, in humanity, we are dedicating this center, named after you for the service of humanity. This complex will be called Chief Barr. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike complex.”
Dr. Odili, who is also former governor of Rivers State said the PAMO University Teaching Hospital is designed to be accessible to the poor in the society.
“This will be the destination of hope, survival for sick people that will need the services here. This center will be known for having staff that will treat their patients like their employers.
Without patients, doctors and nurses have no work. So, every patient, no matter how poor will be treated as an employer here with compassion, with dignity with respect, poverty will not be a hindrance to access to this center.”
