Dr. Idris Omede is a physician, unionist, politician, administrator and technocrat who turned 58 is a man to reckon with, anytime, anyday and anywhere.
He is the immediate past President, Association of Professonal Bodies of Nigeria (APBN) as well as the former President, Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), with many years in medìcal practice within the health sector and also professional association activities. Yet he has untainted records.
Omede, versed in unionism, professionalism and administration played a leading role in contributing, fine-tuning the various provisions of health for Nigerians and non Nigerians, in line with the global best practices.
The implementation and payment of consolidated medical salary structure CONMESS which is subject to continuous adjustment at Federal and state level began when he held sway as President of NMA through diplomacy and advocacy after a brief down tool by resident doctors for delayed CONMESS of medical doctors at the time.
He had made many useful contributions to the growth and development of many Federal Tertiary Health Institutions that he had served as a member of the Board or Council.
He revolutionise the provision of quality health attention from the primary to secondary as well as tertiary health care services in Kogi state when he served as health COMMISSIONER from 2012-2016 under the watchful eyes of his boss, the governor of the state, Capt Idris Wada.
These included, but not limited to the Establishment of Kogi State University Teaching Hospital, functional temporary sites and staff compliment, commencement and embarkment for the construction of a permanent teaching Hospital complex at Anyigba, to complement the college of Health services of the university.
Others were the Kogi Diagnostic and Comprehensive Imaging centre, Lokoja. Commencement for the first time of state functional Primary Health Care Board with a pioneer Executive Secretary. Commencement of state Health Insurance and tertiary education institutions health insurance, renovation of all LGA coldchain rooms. Others were renovation of central Medical stores and many state general and cottage hospitals.
The state did exceptionally well in routine immunization and interventional immunisation outcome.
The upgrade and conversion to School of Nursing and Midwifery, Obangede to College status and also that of School of Health Technology, Idah to College status both for purposes of awarding National Diploma and Higher National Diploma in line with National Board for Technical Education NBTE.
Omede ensured the erection and renovation of new buildings in the two institutions met the accreditation requirements of all the programmes of the institutions.
No doubt, this has endeared the Medical practitioner to the people when he showed, expressed interest and aspired to become the governor of Kogi state in 2019. He became a house hold name, but for other political exigencies and application of wisdom he however remained endeared to the people and has maintained constant touch with the people in his own ways.
He has led the Nigerian Medical Association NMA and Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria, APBN as their President at National level at various times. Dr Omede left an Indelible marks on the sands of time.
A very cool, calm, with high level mien, Omede is gifted with a sane conduct, and assessable and accessible. We can only wish him well and better days ahead as he celebrate and mark this birthday. Congratulations Sir.
