This is unlike the typical Nigerian high government official. Hospitalised Kogi State governor, Captain Idris Wada (retd.) has cast a vote of confidence for the country’s medical system by directing that he should not be flown abroad for treatment in connection with Friday’s accident in which he fractured his right thigh, among other injuries.

The governor passed the directive through Felix Ogedengbe, the doctor treating him in Abuja, the Nigerian capital. Ogedengbe, who is the Medical Director of Cedarcrest Hospital, to which Wada was taken after initial treatment at the Kogi State Specialist, Lokoja, had earlier advised against flying the governor abroad. Satisfied with the services being given to him at the hospital, Wada accepted the advice.

Dr. Ogedengbe told newsmen yesterday: “When the governor was brought in at 8pm (on Friday), we were told he was involved in a car accident and we checked him and explained the nature of his injuries to him. We also told him about our ability to manage the injuries. He had a broken thigh and he was taken to the theatre. The governor has since stabilised and he had a nice night; he said he would not be taken abroad for treatment because he has confidence in our capacity to manage him. There is no immediate need to fly him abroad.”

Continuing, the doctor said: “The governor is quite happy to take treatment here; the treatment is on-going. He needs some days in the hospital and I can’t give a date of discharge now.”

As earlier reported by News Express and some other media outlets, Governor Wada’s family is considering flying him abroad “for better medical attention” as is the custom among to Nigerian government functionaries.

Briefing newsmen in Lokoja yesterday afternoon, Jacob Edi, Special Assistant to Wada, also confirmed that his boss prefers to be treated in the country.

The accident, which occurred on the Lokoja – Ajaokuta expressway, around Salem University, took the life of the governor’s Aide de Camp (ADC), Idris Mohamed, an Assistant Superintendent of Police.

News Express reports that three Nigerian state governor are presently receiving medical treatment abroad. They are Taraba’s Danbaba Suntai, who had a copter crash last October 25, Enugu’s Sullivan Chime and Cross River’s Governor Liyel Imoke – both of whom are down with unclear sicknesses.

•Photo: Governor Wada.

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