Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has stated that doctors and nurses trained in Nigeria must have to remain in Nigeria.

He said that all medical personnels should be motivated with the right work conditions so they don’t have to think about moving abroad.

Making this statement during the commissioning of the renovated and rehabilitated Yariman Bakura Specialist Hospital in Zamfara State, following the invitation of the state Governor, Dauda Lawal, on Tuesday — Obasanjo noted that ‘Japa’ syndrome has cost Nigerian its future leaders as many youths are more focused on discovering ways to move abroad.

He further emphasized that the federal government and other necessary bodies must provide the necessary equipment and remuneration to incentivise health workers, noting that building health centres was not enough.

While he lauded Lawal for the renovation of the hospital, Obasanjo noted that it is a great start even as many Nigerians who have been trained as medical personnel are japaing.

He added; “But how do you hold them here without giving them a bit of incentive? You have to. We need all the personnel we can have because our hospitals have to deliver.

“You need the right environment and that is the refurbishing and the renovation but you need the right equipment and then you need the personnel. I am happy that you have brought them all together and let us make good use of them.”