The president, World Medical Association (WMA), Dr. Osahon Enabulele, has emphasised the need for professional bodies’ involvement in Nigeria’s bid to get to the right track of development.
He spoke at the 70th birthday of a medical practitioner, Professor Dominic Osayande Osaghae and his (Osaghae) book launch in Benin yesterday.
The books; Re-inventing the Nigerian Medical Association: From Crisis to Peace’, and ‘Footprints on the Sounds of Time’ are authored by the celebrant, Prof. Osaghae.
Enabulele, who was the chairman of the occasion with the theme: ‘The Role of Professional Association in National Development’, said no nation can get it right in terms of development without allowing professional bodies to play critical roles.
Lamenting that most often professional associations are not given the right place in national development plans, the WMA president said: “National development is not all about the president; it is not all about the governors, but involves everyone. Nigeria cannot advance if we do not play our roles as Nigerians. Professional bodies must be fully carried along in our quest to get it right.
“No matter the strategy put forward, if a development plan is not based on human capital development and other indices of socioeconomic development, such strategies and plans may not yield the desired results.”
On the celebrant, the chairman of the occasion said: “He stands for progressive ideas, stands for justice and anything good. He has contributed immensely to the development of the medical profession and the nation in general.”
In his keynote address, a former commissioner for health in Edo State, Dr. Wilson Imongan, said the role of professional bodies in national development cannot be overemphasised, adding; “The professionals provide industry insight that directly affects the economic development of the country.”
According to him, professional bodies bridge the gap by applying technical knowledge to solving societal development challenges.
He added: “They help politicians initiate policies and legislation. Professional bodies need visibility so that they can form a robust and cordial relationship with government for collaboration.”
He challenged the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Edo State branch, to interrogate those seeking political offices as the state governorship election draws nearer.
