The coalition of all community healthcare workers and traditional medicine practitioners in Lagos state have pledged their support and cooperation to ensure victory for the candidacy of Akinwunmi Ambode, the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in the state.
“We have declined the invitation of other governorship candidates because our minds are made up to support and vote for you as our next Governor. We know you, we have heard and seen a lot about what you’ve already done, our votes are for you”, stated Alhaja Silifatu Olomowewe Elewe-omo, leader of one of the healthcare groups.
Another leader of the coalition, Chief F.O Esho, said “Ambode has been one of us, especially during the time he served in government, and he remains one of us. Now that God has chosen you again to serve us further, we will lift you, we will definitely support you”.
All other leaders who spoke at the meeting reiterated their assurance about the candidacy and victory of Ambode, stating boldly that “we are sure he will continue the fruitful partnership between the Lagos state government and community health practitioners. We trust him to take our standard of operation to greater heights”.
Ambode thanked the coalition of community healthcare givers and traditionalists for the support they’ve shown and for their cooperation with the government, while promising to also keep giving cognizance to their roles in the community.
“I thank you all so much for this level of support that you’ve expressed for my candidacy. You have supported continuity and we won’t fail you.”
He added, “The complementary role you all play in the discharge of primary healthcare to our communities cannot be overlooked. I promise to give more recognition and cognizance to this role by giving governance back to our communities; this will surely encourage you and boost your great efforts”
He promised the introduction of modernization into their craft in order to make it much more generally applicable and acceptable. He also promised to provide incentives and a special budget for the aid workers, stressing that the reforms that will be implemented in primary healthcare sector will also help expand their scope no create wealth for them.
He then said the support shown to him is a support for the progress of Lagos, and therefore urged them to keep rallying for support to ensure victory on Election Day.
“My dear people, the AMBO theme song is not about me or my name at all, it is rather about Lagos. It is about taking the progress no excellence of Lagos to a next level with your total cooperation”.
The meeting was moderated by Dr. Omosheinde and the associations represented include the Association of Traditional Medicine Practitioners (ATMP), Association of Community Health Extension Workers, Elewo-Omo, Nigerian Association of Traditionalists (Lagos chapter), Herbs Sellers Association of Nigeria, Community Birth and Health Aid Workers Association, and The Association of Elebi Birth Attendants.