The State of Nigeria, May 2010 – By Bashorun J. K. Randle THE STATE OF OUR STATE; THE STATE OF OUR NATION; THE STATE OF OUR HEALTH; AND THE HEALTH OF OUR BANKS By BASHORUN J.K. RANDLE, OFR When I received the invitation to be the Chairman of this most auspicious occasion I treated the matter with healthy suspicion because I have serious reservations about my credentials regarding health (and by extension medical) matters. It was my grandfather Dr. J.K. Randle who was one of Nigeria’s pioneer medical doctors having qualified at Edinburgh University, Scotland where he won the Gold Medal for surgery in 1888 and practiced for many years at his mansion cum surgery at 31 Marina, Lagos and an annex that was actually his back garden which stretched all the way to Broad Street. He died in 1928 at the age of 73. What is relevant is that much of his life was devoted to public health, public service and philanthropy. Perhaps I should add that he also founded Nigeria’s first political party – The People’s Union in 1908!! My first choice as the topic for my address was : “WHEN WILL THE PAIN CEASE ?” Because many of the challenges we are still grappling with were very much in evidence when my grandfather practised medicine. Granted that the scourge in my grandfather’s generation was the “Black Death” – fierce and lethal combination of scurvy; malaria; water-borne infections; jaundice etc. the “Black Death” is still very much with us. The only difference is that both the symptoms and the cure have found hibernation and manifestation in: • Cancer • Heart / Cardio-vascular diseases • Diabetes • HIV / AIDs Those of you who are more clinically minded would no doubt insist that special mention must be made of prostrate cancer which has been ravaging the Black male adult population in Africa and the diaspora with ruthless and relentless savagery. Perhaps I should add what has been widely reported on the internet: “Nigeria’s Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Salamatu Hussaini (who is a Chartered Accountant) has raised the alarm over the rate of infant and maternal mortality in the country. Speaking during her two-day advocacy to Ondo State, the Minister who spoke in Akure, blamed inadequate health facilities, non-incentives for health personnel, ignorance and cultural taboos for the situation. She said: “Nigeria has one of the highest maternal mortal rate with about 800 to 1500 per 100,000 live births, which contributes 10 per cent of the world’s maternal deaths. By implication, every 10 minutes, a woman dies from pregnancy related complications in Nigeria with high prevalence in the rural areas. Infact mortality is also high at 105 lives per (1000) births (sic) with under-give mortality rate at 178 per 1000.” I am a Chartered Accountant like the Minister who has provided us with those chilling statistics. One of the kernels of our profession is that figures do not lie. Unlike doctors, we do not have the self-indulgence of burying our mistakes!!. At this juncture, I would like to seize this opportunity to thank the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola S.A.N. for re-naming the Randle General Hospital at Randle Road, Surulere after my late father Chief J.K. Randle, Lisa of Lagos who died on 17 th December 1956 at the age of only 47. If he were still alive, he would have been celebrating his 100 th birthday alongside his friends Chief Obafemi Awolowo, the first Premier of Western Nigeria; and Alhaji Ahmadu The State of Nigeria, May 2010 – By Bashorun J. K. Randle Bello, the Sarduana of Sokoto and the First Premier of Northern Nigeria. My father’s involvement with the health sector was largely influenced by the selfless and patriotic contributions of his close friends – Chief (Dr.) M.A. Majekodunmi who became Minister of Health under Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa and is still full of vigour at the ripe old age of 93; as well as late Dr. Oladele Ajose; Dr. Oni Akerele; Dr. Flavious Abiola Akerele; Dr. (Mrs.) Abimbola Awoliyi; and Dr. “Joki” Taylor-Cole (who delivered me!) The list would not be complete without mention of Sir Kofo Abayomi; Dr. Charles Norman-Williams and Sir Samuel Manuwa whose greatness and scholarship were acknowledge beyond the shores of Nigeria. My own involvement with medicine and health policy or delivery of healthcare/services are somewhat limited and circumspect. I rely on the testimony of my elder brother and friend, the quietly spoken Dr. Gabi Williams who served with great distinction as the Chief Medical Officer of Lagos before shifting his allegiance to the Federal Government where he served under the inimitable Professor Olikoye Ransome Kuti. I stand to be corrected, but I vividly recall that it used to be the practice that the Chief Medical Officer was obliged to publish an annual report on Lagos for wide circulation. Indeed, I used to read Dr. Gabi Williams’ report with great interest. Sadly, those reports have gone into oblivion like most of the best things in Lagos!! Let me digress by recalling that about three years ago, at a London Restaurant, Professor Bolaji Kuti; Dr. Bolaji Ajenifuja; Alhaji Femi Okunnu S.A.N; and I spent an entire evening discussing the problems and challenges of Lagos; and how our beloved city of Lagos was being stripped of dignity and sanctity (of life and property). We talked far into the night and I walked all the way home – Knightsbridge; Sloane Street, King’s Road etc without the slightest concern for my safety even though it was well past midnight. It brought back fond memories of what Lagos used to be – clean streets; peaceful environment, well equipped hospitals; silent vehicular traffic; constant electricity supply; law-abiding citizens and most significantly a total absence of any sense of danger as one walked along the waterfront from Ebute Elefun, Okesuna (where I went to school, Lagos Government School), all along the foreshore of Isale-Eko and the option of turning into Ebute Ero followed by the Marina all the way to Cowrie Bridge and ultimately the Bar Beach. You could even trek all the way to Ebute Metta, Yaba and beyond. Since the Governor of Lagos State is an old boy of Igbobi College, permit me to add that Igbobi was not considered part of Lagos. As its name confirms –“Igbo Obi” translates as The Cola nut forest” – in the outer wilds of civilization!! The ultimate irony is that it is not King’s College which is located right in the centre of Lagos, at the Race Course now known as Tafawa Balewa Square, that has produced an outstanding leader in the person of Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola S.A.N. That honour belongs to Igbobi College. For the avoidance of doubt (to quote lawyers) it bears repetition that “Igbobi” was forest !! Thankfully, the Governor’s DNA confirms that he was already a Lagosian, going by his Fashola / Animashaun antecedents before wandering into the forest. It is all in the genes and pedigree. This is not the appropriate forum for delving into what strange diet and concoctions young Babatunde was forced to consume in order to survive in the jungle or forest. We can only speculate that at regular intervals his diet was supplemented with the staple food of Lagos – “Agbodo” (fish); “Akan” (crab); “Yoyo” (whitebait); “ede” (prawns); “epa” (groundnuts); “guguru” (popcorn); “agbado” (boiled/roasted corn); “boli” (roasted plantain); etc. Perhaps we should add “ice pokey-pokey” which defies translation. Published with permission on www.proshareng.com 2 The State of Nigeria, May 2010 – By Bashorun J. K. Randle Anyway, you must forgive me for adhering to the tradition of Lagos. Our culture does not permit or take kindly to gratuitous praise-singing or self-serving adulation of those who are in power. As “sons of the soil” we are not permitted to curry favours or reduce ourselves to court- jesters, opportunists or sycophants. Regardless, Governor Fashola’s record particularly in the health sector speaks for itself. With vigour and tenacity of purpose he has been tackling most of those issues which Professor Bolaji Kuti; Dr. Bolaji Ajenifuja; Alhaji Femi Okunnu S.A.N. and I agonized over that long night of anguish which almost ruined our enjoyment of our dinner in a Chinese Restaurant in London - “The Good Earth.” Indeed, Lagos is slowly returning to “The Good Earth” – the paradise on earth which the Almighty divinely bequeathed to our ancestors who in turn handed it to us for safe custody until our own children are ready to take over. Somehow along the way or down the line the soldiers and politicians conspired to turn our beloved haven of peace and tranquility into hostage territory where fear and pain reign supreme - and a sanctuary for criminals who are hell bent on intimidation, rage and vengeance against innocent citizens. They claim that democracy is a game of numbers – hence the criminals are free to overwhelm the shrinking number of Lagosians. Lest I be accused, by lawyers, of suppression of vital information and even obstruction of justice, I am obliged to direct your attention to the internet website; “Omo eko pataki www.com where the record of Governor Fashola’s interventions in the health sector are listed as follows: (1) LAGOS STATE MINISTRY OF HEALTH PRIMARY HEALTH CARE 1. Upgrade of Primary Health Care facilities in all the Local Government Areas / Wards in the State. 2. Introduction of Mobile Clinics. • Mobile Dental Clinics • Medical Clinics. (2) SECONDARY HEALTH CARE 1. Refurbishment and re-equipment of all the General Hospitals in the State.