Member representing Isuikwuato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency of Abia State, Rep. Amobi Ogah has said the call on President Bola Tinubu to use condoms for palliative for the poor as a measure to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS is unnecessary.
Ogah also expressed gratitude to the leadership of the House for naming him the chairman of the Committee on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis & Malaria, saying it is an opportunity to contribute to the development of Nigeria’s health sector.
Featuring on TVC’s legislative programme, Hallowed Chambers monitored by ABN TV, Ogah said the most suitable palliative for the poor at this moment who are affected by the removal of fuel subsidy is food and measures that will ameliorate the economic hardship confronting many families and not the provision of condom.
Ogah, an expert in oil and gas noted that despite being relatively new in the field of his committee, he is poised to make the best out of the privilege to advance effective service delivery in health sector.
“I’m glad though I never expected to be chairman of that committee”, he stated. “It’s an honour to me, an honour to learn, it’s an honour to save lives, an honour to be part of people that will improve our health sector”, he added.
The lawmaker noted that since he was named chairman of the committee, he had embarked on a study to bring new innovative ideas in delivering this assignment.
While noting that it requires a political will to entrench a permanent turnaround in the sector, the Abia lawmaker emphasized that he has engaged some consultants who will offer technical support in discharging the mandate of the committee.
Hon. Ogah while decrying the endemic of fake drugs in circulation, said it is largely attributable to why malaria has become a hydra-headed health challenge in Nigeria.
“I can tell you that out of every ten Nigerians, eight are suffering from malaria. It’s a very serious issue.
“Anything I put my head to, I do it very well. At a point I started thanking God, maybe there are lives He wants me to go and save out there.
“With the robust plan we have, in the shortest period of time, we are going to expose a lot. From the consultations we have carried out, we are poised in making a change. It requires a political will and that will is there”, he stated.
While assuring that the endemic of malaria will be brought to the barest minimum, he expressed concern that hardly a week passes without one person in a family suffering malaria.
He added that the effects of fake drugs have made the treatment of malaria linger for a long time.
He noted that because life is involved, his committee will do everything it can to ensure that more Nigerians are saved from the scourge of HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria.
