…says Owerri Diocese to establish University
From George Onyejiuwa, Owerri
The President Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria ( CBCN) , and the Archbishop of Owerri Metropolitan, His Grace Most Rev Luicius Ugorji has expressed worry over the high rate of emigration by Nigerian youths and professionals to Europe and America, saying that the situation is capable of crippling the very existence of the country, and that patriotic Nigerians should be disturbed.
The cleric raised the alarm yesteday, while addressing metriculating students of the various schools of Holy Rosary Hospital, Emekuku in Owerri North council area of Imo state.
They include the School of Midwifery, School of Medical Laboratory Science, School of Pharmacy Technician and the College of Nursing Science.
Archbishop Ugorji said: “Patriotic Nigerians ought to be extremely disturbed with the growing level of emigration of our professionals to foreign lands.
“It is unfortunate that after spending huge sums of money to train our medical personnel and other professionals, we sadly end up losing them through brain drain.
“Whichever way we may look at the situation, it is a sad testimonial that our professionals gladly abandon our own sick people and migrate to the United States, Europe and other foreign lands, to take care of their sick and of course, for better remuneration.
Continuing, He said, ” A lot of us may not be aware that the Japa Syndrome is capable of crippling the very existence of the country and its citizens, if nothing urgent is done to stem the ugly tide now.
“If we continue to allow our professionals or surreptitiously force our best brains to leave our shores, the ugly effects of government’s inaction, may ultimately affect generations yet unborn.”
Meanwhile , he appealed to governments at all levels, to do everything possible to improve the working conditions of the nation’s professionals.
He used the opportunity to announce that Owerri Catholic Archdiocese has started working towards establishing a University and Holy Rosary Hospital, Emekuku, will serve as its College of Medicine.
Earlier in his address, Rev. Fr. Justin Okoro, Director of the Rosary Hospital said: “The hospital, which started in 1932, currently has 52 departments, 470 staff, including 34 Consultants, who are heads of various departments.
“The Nigerian depressed economy is antithetical to management policies and market strategies.
“This year, management was able to make minor increments to staff monthly take-home, but I still insist, because I know it is nothing compared with present day hardship. Management is poised to do more.”