Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has urged members of the Paediatric Association of Nigeria (PAN) to remain compassionate, dedicated, and steadfast advocates for the wellbeing of children across the country.
Obasanjo made the call on Monday while hosting members of the PAN Executive Council, led by its President, Dr Ekanem Ekure, at his residence in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
The former president assured the delegation of his willingness to support and actively participate in the association’s advocacy efforts, noting that paediatricians occupy a unique and critical position in society because of their direct responsibility for the lives and health of children.
According to him, paediatric practice goes beyond medical expertise and requires deep empathy, patience, and the ability to understand children who may be unable to clearly express their symptoms or discomfort.
He stressed that the nature of paediatric care demands careful attention to detail, as doctors often have to ask probing questions and interpret signs on behalf of their young patients.
Obasanjo said he fully understood the importance of the advocacy role assigned to him by PAN, describing it as a responsibility he was ready to accept without hesitation.
Although his children are now adults with families of their own, the former president said his responsibility toward children would never end.
“You belong to a very important profession. Yours is a profession of life and death, because you deal with children and you must be able to feel for them,” he said.
“If I come to you, you will ask me where my head is aching, whether it is on the left or the right, and how I feel at night. I understand that process.
“The task you have given me of being an advocate is one I will easily accept. Even though my children are adults and have children and grandchildren of their own, I will never stop having children. When I stop, my children will not stop, and when my children stop, my grandchildren will not stop.”
His remarks were met with appreciation from the PAN leadership, who described his support as a boost to their efforts to improve child health and welfare in Nigeria.
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