By ERICJAMES OCHIGNO

The House of Representatives has introduced a bill seeking to prohibit public and civil servants from patronising private schools and healthcare facilities.

The bill, sponsored by Rep. Amobi Ogah (LP?Abia), was presented for first reading during Tuesday?s plenary session.

In his lead debate, Ogah described the proposed legislation as a turning point in Nigeria?s history.

He said the bill aimed to bar all public and civil servants, including their immediate family members, from using private educational and healthcare services.

According to him, the objective is to eliminate conflicts of interest, build public trust, and uphold the integrity of public institutions.

?Before Nigeria attained independence and became a republic, our foremost statesmen were educated in government schools.

?Sir Ahmadu Bello attended Sokoto Provincial School and Katsina Training College (now Barewa College), Nnamdi Azikiwe went to Holy Trinity College and Christ Church School in Onitsha.

?Likewise Chief Obafemi Awolowo and Alhaji Tafawa Balewa,? he said.

Ogah said the preference for private institutions among today?s public officials was detrimental to the nation?s development.

?It has become an unwholesome trend for public and civil servants to seek private educational and healthcare services for themselves and their families, to the detriment of our economy,? he stated.

Citing government spending, he noted that while Nigeria allocated N1.33 trillion to healthcare in the 2024 budget, the country spent an estimated N1.6 trillion, or more than 1 billion dollars, annually on medical treatment abroad.

Ogah added that Nigerians spent at least 29.29 billion dollars on overseas medical expenses during the eight-year administration of late former President Muhammadu Buhari.

In the education sector, he said Nigerians spent 38.17 million dollars on foreign education between January and March 2024, and 218.87 million dollars in 2023.

?The time for truth is now. We cannot continue damaging the psyche of Nigerians.

?If we can remove petroleum subsidies, we must also take bold steps to reform public service behaviour by passing this bill.?

He emphasised that the continued patronage of private schools and hospitals had led to the neglect and deterioration of public institutions.

?Our public hospitals and schools have become shadows of themselves, with crumbling infrastructure and falling standards.

?We must restore confidence in government-owned institutions to uplift Nigeria?s global image.?

According to Ogah, it is a national embarrassment when high-ranking officials travel overseas for medical care and, in some cases, do not return alive.

He stressed that the bill aimed to end both medical and educational tourism for public and civil servants.

Ogah called on the Nigerian public, particularly the media, to support the bill and foster a new national consciousness that prioritised local institutions. (NAN)

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