Yoruba doctor to get N13.9m, car for remaining at Monguno Hospital despite Boko Haram

A medical doctor who hailed from Ogun state has been commended by Borno State Governor Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum for remaining at the General Hospital in Monguno and his continued offer of healthcare services to patients even when the town was faced with the most severe threats by Boko Haram.

Dr. Isa Akinbode graduated from the University of Maiduguri and joined the Borno State Civil Service, where he served for 22 years before he retired in 2016 at Monguno General Hospital.

Despite reports that he was once abducted and released by Boko Haram terrorists who operate in the area, he remained at the General Hospital in Monguno to offer voluntary medical services. In 2016, Then Governor Kashim Shettima, during one of his visits to Monguno, directed officials of the state’s Ministry of Health to engage Akinbode as a contract staff. But due to bureaucratic procedures, officials at the ministry in Maiduguri, never formalized the doctor’s contract, even though he continued to serve.

Five years later, Governor Zulum, on Friday, directed that Dr. Akinbode be paid his accrued arrears of N13.9m based on the terms of the contract directed by the former governor in 2016. Zulum also directed that going forward, contracts should be formalized for monthly entitlements.

The governor also presented a Toyota Highlander as a gift to Dr. Akinbode for his services to the people of Borno.

“These (people like Dr. Akinbode) are the kinds of people that needed to be encouraged. He lives in Monguno despite all the security problems. My predecessor had during his visit to Monguno directed that he should be engaged on a contract basis; unfortunately, due to some bureaucratic procedures, his re-engagement has not been formalized. In fulfillment of the promise of my boss, I decided to re-engage him on a contract basis retrospectively. We are paying all his entitlements/salary in arrears. I am giving him a cheque of N13.9m. I have also approved his re-engagement from 2016, being the date of his retirement.” Zulum said.

Governor Zulum also approved the recruitment of Dr. Akinbode’s daughter, who studied Public Administration at the University of Maiduguri, into the Borno State Civil Service.