The Honourable Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Adekunle Salako has charged the newly appointed Medical Directors of Federal Medical Centers to effectively and efficiently commit themselves towards achieving the desired goals of government policies and priorities.
Dr. Salako gave the charge on Friday 17th April 2026 while presenting letters of appointment to six Medical Directors, in Abuja-two out of the six are on renewal of tenure while the other four are on fresh appointments.
His words “I want encourage you to be fully abreast of the policies and the priorities of government and ensure that it is significantly highlighted in everything you do.”
The Minister said industrial harmony is one of the priorities of government, urging them to always engage their worker and adopt open door policy in order to maintain peace and strengthen industrial harmony in their respective health Institutions for effective service delivery.
“So I want you to please take that as a priority to ensure that you keep an open door policy with the unions and you continuously engage them. We’re not saying you indulge them, we’re saying engage them so that whatever can be nipped in the bud on the basis of engagement, you can nip them in the bud. So that’s a priority.” He reiterated.
He further encouraged them to ensure quality services are accessible and prioritize human relations, cautioning that a situation where patients are turned back would not be accepted.
He explained that Ministry of Health has set up a task force on patients on clinical governance and patient safety, he therefore charged the Medical Directors to replicate this in their respective facilities for a continuous feedbacks from patients for positive improvement where necessary.
On human resources challenge in the health sector, Dr. Salako said “we are challenged in several ways in the health sector in terms of human resources. Now we have the window of a faster waiver system to employ. But unfortunately, sometimes some of our MDs until we pull their clothes, they do not respond” urging them to take full advantage.
While congratulating them, the Minister further called on those who were reappointed to redouble their efforts and charged the newly appointed Medical Directors to work extra to justify the confidence reposed in them by Mr. President, “You put yourself in good standing for a possible reappointment when you finish your first term”.
In her welcome remarks, the Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Daju Kachollom, represented by the Permanent Secretary Designate and Director Health Planning Research and Statistics Department , Dr. Kamil Shoretire challenged those who were reappointed to redouble their efforts to improve service delivery, efficient management of their institutions and staff, and most importantly maintain cordial relationship with their host communities
She stated that government is spending so much but still there are gaps in our various health institutions and the community we serve. “We must be able to manage the space, manage the people and also manage our expectations. What we want is upward trajectory in terms of performance and commitment to the well-being of the Nigerian people.” She emphasized.
In their separate responses, Dr. Evinly A. Nzeribe, MD, FMC Okigwe, Who spoke on behalf of the newly appointed Medical Directors assured that they will take the agenda of this government to greater hight and make the health system a better place, seeking for the Honourable Minister’s guidance and direction at every step, adding that they will bring help and support to the people of Nigeria in wherever they find ourselves.
Dr. Adamu Abdullahi Atterwharmie, MD, Federal Medical Center, Birnin Kudu, who spoke on behalf of the reappointed Medical Directors, expressed appreciation to the Honorable Minister for his wonderful performance and all the support they have been receiving from the Federal Ministry of Health for making sure that they improve healthcare system and provide better services for Nigerians, pledging to take all instructions from the Ministry and work on Minister’s behalf as his ambassadors by extension ambassadors of Mr. President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
He further appreciated Mr. President and the Minister for appointing them for second term and restated their commitments to implement government policies and instructions effectively and efficiently, promising that they will never fail the confidence reposed in them.
The appointed Medical Directors are:
Dr. Adamu Abdullahi Atterwharmie,FMC Birnin Kudu (2nd Term), Dr. Evinly A. Nzeribe,FMC, Okigwe, Dr. Umar Baba Musami, FNPH, Maiduguri, Dr. Mu’azu S.I, FMC, Kumo, Dr. Omo Ekeneam FMC, Asaba, and Dr. Abubakar Usman, FMC, Bida (2nd Term).
Ado Bako
Assistant Director, Information and Public Relations
18/4/2026.
