EXXONMOBIL TO BUILD TRAUMA CENTRE AT UUTH- AKPABIO

 Governor Godswill Akpabio says ExxonMobil was ready to build a Trauma Centre at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Uyo.

Governor Akpabio who stated this in response to  an address by the Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Professor Etete Peters Wednesday during the official commissioning of the late Engr. Diana-Abasi Udo Ekere Orthopaedic Theatre in the hospital  directed the hospital management to write a letter to the company on this.

''I am happy to announce to you that you should do a letter formally inviting ExxonMobil. They are going to to build a Trauma Centre for you. I took that up and ExxonMobil has agreed to do it so you will give me a letter so I can invite the Managing Director to come; you will show him a location you want it so we can commence work on it immediately'', he stated.

Akpabio commended Ekere Family for donating the theatre to the hospital, saying ''I believe that this patriotic deed by Ekere Family of Edemaya has responded to the call of God and contributed their quota towards a great segment of our society. Let me use this privilege to say that all members of the society should attempt to leave something behind no matter how little''.

According to him ''But today, we set a stage for his death and his impact to continue even after his death. Years from now, people look back on this place and thank God that this place was built. His memory will forever live in the hearts of those whose lives were saved as a result of being treated here. In a sense, I am happy because this as a noble and patriotic gesture''.

He remarked that the highest form of good one could do was not for his family or spouse or children, but for the society at large, noting ''We must do everything in our power to bring about change in our society. If you recall the work of Jesus Christ he went about doing miracles but none for Himself''.

The Governor recapped ''In 2007, we came face to face with the postulation by William Shakespeare that 'There comes a tide in the affaris of men which taken at the helm leads unto victory''. We took the tide at the helm because we came to the conclsion that we cannot achieve world-wide future for ourselves and our children by power and might. We believed then that it wasonly through the will of God. Today, five years after, the will of God has been done in our state. You have all contributed to the uncommon transformation that is taking place in Akwa Ibom State''.

Akpabio attributed his performance to his love for the state, saying ''It is not a function of money but a function of love. If you don't love your people the money will find its way to Swiss bank account and South Africa. If you take a buffoon to Buckingham Palace, he will turn the palace to a desert. But, if you take a wise man who believes in God into a desert, he will turn it to Buckingham Palace''.

The Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Professor Peters hinted that Engr. Diana-Abasi Udo Ekere Orthpaedic Theatre project was donated to the hospital by Ekere Family of Edem Aya in Ikot Abasi in memory of the the late younger brother of the state Deputy Governor, Mr. Nsima Ekere, who died on May 9, 2009 in a road accident.

 Professor Peters explained that the theatre comprises two operating suites, offices, sluice and changing rooms, one of the suites that was furnished by the hospital management, and called on affluent individuals and corporate bodies as part of their corporate social responsibility to assist government in providing health and social facilities to the hospital.

He, however, sued the Governor to equip the second Orthopaedic Theatre Suite, provide modern Diagnostic facilities including Mammogram, trauma equipment for Trauma Centre, build a new medical ward block extension, take over of General Hospital, Ukpom Abak for the training of medical students  and pay compensation to land acquired for the building of the hospital.