By: OBSERVERS TIMES
Senate President Godswill Akpabio is soliciting financial support from small businesses grappling with economic hardship to fund his upcoming medical outreach in the Nasarawa West Senatorial District, OBSERVERS TIMES can authoritatively confirm.
This initiative comes at a time when millions of Nigerian businesses are facing unprecedented challenges, with many shutting down due to the ongoing economic crisis.
Despite the dire circumstances, Akpabio’s office has dispatched letters to struggling small businesses, requesting contributions ranging from financial donations to the provision of medical personnel and equipment. A letter dated April 24, 2025, and addressed to a business owner in Lokoja, Kogi State, outlines the specifics of the appeal, which has raised eyebrows among many in the business community.
The letter, signed by Mr. Olanipekun Ogunsulire, Special Adviser to the President of the Senate on Human Capital Development, Humanitarian Affairs, and Digital Economy, confirmed the authenticity of the request. However, Ogunsulire emphasized that the letter was not intended for public distribution.
This fundraising effort comes as the Nigerian economy struggles, with the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) reporting that approximately 7.2 million of the country’s estimated 24 million micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) have ceased operations between 2023 and 2024. The NESG’s Chief Economist, Dr. Segun Omisakin, highlighted that Nigeria incurred an estimated ₦94 trillion economic loss due to multinational divestments and business closures during the same period.
Critics have questioned the appropriateness of soliciting contributions from businesses already facing financial strain. A source within the Senate expressed concern over the timing and ethics of such a request, given the current economic climate.
Scheduled to commence on May 14, 2025, the medical outreach aims to provide healthcare services across the six Local Government Areas in the Nasarawa West Senatorial District, including Nasarawa, Akwanga, Karu, Keffi, Kokona, and Lafia. The initiative is designed to improve access to healthcare in underserved communities, targeting vulnerable groups such as women, children, the elderly, and those excluded from the formal healthcare system.
The outreach will offer a range of services, including general consultations, treatment, distribution of essential medications, eye care services, minor surgical procedures, maternal and child healthcare, and public health education. The letter explicitly states the need for support in various forms, including medical personnel, supplies, and financial contributions.
In a statement to THE WHISTLER, Ogunsulire defended the outreach, asserting that it is not intended to burden struggling businesses. “This is not something that we are doing publicly yet because we are trying to work with potential partners. It’s a medical outreach meant to support local areas,” he explained. “We are reaching out to organizations and agencies that can help us support the outreach.”
He further clarified that participation in the initiative is voluntary, stating, “We are not forcing anyone; it’s an appeal for those who want to contribute to their community.” Ogunsulire emphasized that the outreach is focused on collaboration and resource utilization to benefit the community effectively.
When asked why Nasarawa was chosen for the outreach, Ogunsulire responded, “We are looking at different communities to engage with. It’s not just Nasarawa, but we are starting here because they reached out to us about their needs.”
As the outreach date approaches, the Senate President’s office is working to garner support, with plans to publicize the initiative only if sufficient backing is secured. While the intent behind the outreach may be noble, the decision to solicit funds from struggling businesses has ignited a debate about the responsibilities of public officials in times of economic distress.
