By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja
Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, has assented to the bill that converts the Reference Hospital in Okene into the Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTECH) Teaching Hospital.
The move aligns with the National Universities Commission’s approval for CUSTECH to offer full-time medical programs, including a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) degree, as well as other health-related courses. The development is aimed at providing a solid foundation for the university’s medical programs.
In a press briefing on Tuesday, Kogi State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mr. Kingsley Femi Fanwo, revealed that the signing was the culmination of months of collaborative efforts between CUSTECH, the State Ministry of Health, and the Ministry of Education.
“This is a significant step in ensuring that the medical programs approved for CUSTECH start on a solid and well-equipped foundation,” Fanwo stated. He also highlighted the world-class medical facilities now available at the hospital, some of which are making their debut in Africa.
Fanwo praised the Kogi State House of Assembly for passing the bill and reiterated the administration’s dedication to improving healthcare and education in the state.
With the bill now law, CUSTECH is set to commence its MBBS program, further solidifying Kogi State’s commitment to producing skilled healthcare professionals for the state and beyond.