22/04/2022
NMA Boosts Bassey Ntekim’s Aspiration with huge sum Donation
By Joseph Atainyang
The Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, Akwa Ibom State Council has boosted the aspiration of one of their members, Dr Bassey Ntekim with a huge sum donation.
The NMA Chairman, Dr Ime Sylvester Udoh, while presenting the cheque to Dr Ntekim at the aspirant’s office, at Nedeke Children’s Hospital, Uyo, on Thursday, noted that the Association was delighted to know that Ntekim was contesting the Oro Federal Constituency election.
Flanked by his state executive council members, including the treasurer, Dr Usenobong Akpan and Dr George Ekanem, the chairman who recalled the enormous feat recorded by Bassey Ntekim when he served as NMA chairman, called on the Oro delegates and indeed all electorates to get it right in 2023 by massively voting for him.
“In a time like this that you have indicated interest to go to the House of Representatives, the NMA believes in you. We believe that your people will know your value and come out massively to vote you into that office.
“NMA is your primary constituency and we are solidly behind you. As witnesses to your strides as NMA chairman in our dear state, we have no doubts regarding your capacity and commitment to that mission of liberating Oro people, as well as protecting the interest of doctors.
“This is your time. *Of course, if we were eligible voters, we would give you 100 percent vote of medical doctors in the state. But we can’t participate in the election. That’s why we plead that you kindly accept this token as our own support*.
“While we hope that this seed will attract more funding, goodwill and fortune to you, we implore you not to forget your constituency, the NMA”, Ime Udoh said.
While responding, Dr Bassey Ntekim from Udung Uko LGA who was moved in solemnity, thanked the NMA for their gesture and assured them that he would do well to justify the confidence reposed on him.
The pilot of Oro Rebirth Project noted with confidence that his tenure at the House of Representatives shall see enormous difference in representation and bring succour to his people.
“I want to sincerely thank NMA Akwa Ibom State for this gesture. It is a great privilege to see a professional body rising to support people who are going into elections. I promise that when I get to the House of Representatives, I will not only represent my constituency, I will also represent the interest of the medical practitioners across the country.
*“I am most bewildered to witness this magnitude of honour. For members of NMA to contribute money to assist me in this campaign, it breaks my heart.*
“In my entire life as a member of this organization, this is the first time NMA has implemented this gesture. It is a pioneering effort by the current Akwa Ibom NMA exco.
“As we are aware, there are not many of our colleagues in the National Assembly. As a proud member of the medical profession, I will engage with other medical experts in the National Assembly to give NMA the best of attention.
“Once again, thank you very much. I pray God’s blessings upon you, Amen”, Dr Ntekim said.
It could be recalled that Bassey Ntekim was a chairman of the Akwa Ibom State Council of NMA from 2008 to 2010, during the administration of Chief Goodwill Akpabio.
According to chronicles of the events, Bassey Ntekim who led over 1000 doctors in the state, raised the visibility of NMA to enviable heights both in national and state discourse.
Part of his achievements were: building of ultramodern NMA secretariat located at km8, Nwaniba Road, Idu-Uruan, Uyo, and lobbying of the state government into the provision of brand new exotic utility vehicles to all doctors in the state civil service for effective delivery of health-care services.
Again, Dr Bassey Ntekim had been successful in lobbying for the implementation of clinical duties allowances to doctors in Akwa Ibom State civil service, to the extent that they have remained the highest earning doctors in the Nigerian civil service.
