Date Published: 10/04/09

Dear Sir,

The question of 17 Dialysis Machines at UUTH

One thing is clear: Most Nigerian leaders tell cheap lies when trying to impress on the gullible masses. Under that cover, they live in affluence with public funds, impoverishing the same masses. The situation looks so annoying.

Let us take the instance where in a broadcast, Governor Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State, while reeling out his achievements mentioned that he built a Dialysis Centre at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH) and donated to it 17 dialysis machines; UUTH is a federal institution. He must have gotten applause not only from the citizens who look forward to using the machines but also from the federal Ministry of Health and that of Education. To me I consider this among simple and verifiable lies that need not be told. This governor knows that the centre could only contain about 5 or 6 of such machines and that 3 or 4 had been provided by his predecessor in office under whose administration the Centre was also built. This 17 dialysis machines issue has been making the news for a while now and the governor is aware of this, therefore he is morally supposed to correct the erroneous information he gave his citizens. I know about this topic very well, hence I can talk authoritatively. Recently and in confirmation of this, I read press statement from Attah’s personal assistant, Ms Ijeoma Orjih. Akpabio should challenge it if he feels it is not in order.

The media should always help in bringing out those doubtful sides of people in leadership so as to make them accountable. All brazen lies and fraudulent and contentious life styles of our leaders must be challenged. They were never elected or selected to lead as dictators. They form all kinds of security outfits around them, all aimed at staying in power.

But what pains me most is that the more these leaders loot, more sycophants are created and the gullible Nigerians look helpless, hopeless and hapless. It is so disturbing and annoying that the situation must be addressed.

Dr. Ephraim Dickson, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu ( ephraimdickson@yahoo.com )