Why West African College of Surgeons is Building Secretariat – President
The West African College of Surgeons has reiterated why it embarked on the construction of a permanent secretariat for its operations.
It noted that its leadership decided to invest in the project as part of its strategic plan to become self-sufficient in its core mandate and vision, and to hopefully reduce the cost of examination and other services it renders to regional governments.
Speaking at the inauguration of the permanent secretariat in Yaba, Lagos, recently, the WACS President, Prof. King-david Yawe, noted that the secretariat was a symbol of the unity of the West African medical practitioners.
He added that WACS was founded in 1960 as the body responsible for the training of surgical consultants and allied specialist doctors for medical schools and teaching hospitals in West Africa.
President Muhammadu Buhari declared the permanent secretariat open, represented by the Health Minister, Prof. Isaac Adewole.
Tracing the genesis of the secretariat, Yawe said the first major step towards the fundraiser for its construction was taken in Calabar in 2010, while the land was purchased in 2012
“The foundation was laid on July 8, 2014, during the presidency of Prof. Herve Yangni-agante Jnr., with a completion period of 30 months. on February 23, 2017, a phase of the building was dedicated by the health minister, Prof. Isaac Adewole, assisted by Prof. omigbodun,” Yawe stated.
He said that immediately he became WACS president on March 3, 2017, he made the completion and inauguration of the Secretariat a priority, saying the building was finally handed over to the Chairman, Registered Trustees of WACS, Justice olukayode Shomolu SAN, on January 15, 2018.
The money for the project, totalling N1.2bn, came solely from members’ contributions, without a bank loan or support from the public sector, Yawe declared.
He commended the roles played by the technical committee chaired by Prof. osato Giwa-osagie; and the fundraising committee variously headed by Prof. ogunbiyi and later, Prof. Nimi Briggs, among others.
However, citing some challenges they had experienced, Yawe appealed to the Federal Government, asking for its intervention to aid the secretariat’s final completion.
While paying tributes to the WACS’ past and present leaders, Yawe expressed deep appreciation to Prof. E.A. Elebute and his family, who, he said, made the largest donation of N25m.
He also thanked the Lagos State Government for the strict supervision which ensured compliance with international safety standards; and especially to Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for approving the final completion of the structure.
Source: The Punch News
