By Noah Ocheni, Lokoja
Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, has signed a bill converting the Reference Hospital in Okene into the Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTECH) Teaching Hospital.
The signing, which took place on Tuesday in Lokoja, was announced by the State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mr. Kingsley Fanwo, during a press briefing.
According to Mr. Fanwo, the transformation aligns with the National Universities Commission’s (NUC) approval of a full-time Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) program, along with other medical courses, at CUSTECH. He noted that this move would ensure the program commences on a solid foundation.
“This achievement is the culmination of months of coordinated efforts between CUSTECH, the State Ministry of Health, and the State Ministry of Education. We commend the State House of Assembly for their commitment in passing the bill, which has now been signed into law by Governor Ododo,” Fanwo said.
He emphasized that the hospital, now serving as the CUSTECH Teaching Hospital, is equipped with state-of-the-art medical facilities, some of which are being introduced in Africa for the first time.
“With this development, CUSTECH is poised to provide cutting-edge medical training, equipping healthcare professionals in Kogi State and beyond with the skills they need to excel,” he added.
Fanwo described the move as a significant milestone for both healthcare and education in the state. He also expressed gratitude to the State House of Assembly for their collaborative efforts in realizing this historic achievement.
“With the bill now signed into law, CUSTECH is fully prepared to launch its MBBS program, marking a new chapter in medical education and healthcare delivery in Kogi State,” Fanwo concluded.
