The people of Aladja community in Udu Local Government Area of Delta State have honoured the member representing Udu/Ughelli South/Ughelli North Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Francis Waive, for his role in the establishment of the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Ovwian.
The community also celebrated the appointment of its indigene, Professor Kingsley Akaba, as the Chief Medical Director of the medical centre.
At an appreciation event, community leaders described the FMC as a major intervention in addressing the healthcare needs of the people, noting that the facility would improve access to medical services and create employment opportunities.
They said the honour was to appreciate Waive for identifying the healthcare needs of his constituents and working to address them.
Speaking on behalf of the community, the First Vice President-General of Aladja Community, Prof. Jomata Igben, extolled Waive’s contributions, citing the fencing of Aladja Grammar School, construction of classroom blocks, and his pivotal role in facilitating the appointment of Prof. Kingsley Akaba as Chief Medical Director of the Federal Medical Centre.
“Aladja community is entirely happy. We want to show our deep appreciation to Honourable Reverend Francis Waive for the wonderful things he has been doing for Aladja community.
“Principally, and that is the key, is the appointment of our son, Professor Kingsley Akaba, as the Chief Medical Director of the FMC. We are deeply grateful.
“But there are so many other wonderful things that Hon. Waive has been doing for our community, for which we are grateful.”
The community also noted that the FMC had created significant employment opportunities, with close to 1,000 people reportedly employed by the facility and paid by the Federal Government.
Speaking at the event, Akaba said the initiative was organised to appreciate Waive for recognising the healthcare needs of the people and championing the establishment of the FMC in Udu.
He said the community was grateful to the lawmaker for bringing the facility to the area and supporting the appointment of an indigene as its CMD.
“Health is wealth. This initiative is about appreciating a man who understood the needs of our people and worked to bring the FMC to Udu.
“We are saying thank you to him for this important intervention and for the appointment of a son of the community as Chief Medical Director.
“The health needs of our people are enormous and cannot be swept under the carpet. He has done more than that. The FMC alone has employed close to 1,000 people, and these workers are paid by the Federal Government.
“We are a people who appreciate those who serve us and contribute to our development. This is our way of showing love and appreciation for what has been done for our community.”
Akaba said the community's appreciation went beyond the establishment of the medical centre, expressing confidence that the facility would improve healthcare delivery and boost socio-economic development in the area.
Responding, Waive thanked the people of Aladja for the honour, describing the gesture as exceptional and encouraging.
He said the recognition was particularly meaningful because public office holders were not often openly appreciated for their contributions.
Waive said his involvement in the establishment of the FMC was part of his responsibility to attract development and dividends of democracy to his constituents.
“This is too much, especially the kind of job you do serving people. It is not every day you see people appreciating you, so this is very exceptional and very encouraging.
“I am grateful to the people. I am grateful to my constituents and those who sponsored the bill. I am excited. It is the best you can do as a lawmaker.
“It is the peak of your career, as it were, but the better days are still ahead. I am looking forward to serving my people and bringing more dividends of democracy to the federal constituency.”
The community leaders expressed optimism that FMC Ovwian and Akaba's appointment would contribute significantly to healthcare delivery and the socio-economic development of Udu and neighbouring communities.
