Dr Patrick Dakum Vows To Revamp Agric ,Tourism And Security Architecture Of Plateau
Yakubu Busari
The Chief Executive Officer of the Institute of Human Virology, Nigeria (IHVN) Dr. Patrick Sunday Dakum has promised to revamp and reposition the agriculture, security, and tourist sectors in Plateau State if given the mandate in the forthcoming governorship race.
He made the disclosure while debunking the allegations border on diversion of staff salary, especially Plateau indigent working with IHVN at his residence in Jos .
He explains that they have different categories of staff so they are paid based on their stipulation
He leads IHVN’s CDC PEPFAR and the Global Fund programs to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria. He coordinates the interdisciplinary responsibilities of the Institute for effective program output in addition to providing overall management of the Nigerian team in implementing the Institutes’ several projects.
He liaises with other US Government partners and the Government of Nigeria partners to ensure the success of the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) ACTION Project now ACHIEVE project in the country, a project that has placed over 400,000 people living with HIV in Nigeria on treatment.
He also coordinates IHVN participation in implementing the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria programs
Patrick Dakum, CEO of the Institute of Human Virology of Nigeria. A variety of topical issues bothering around politics, governance and the future were covered –see excerpts below.
Governorship aspirant under the All Progressives Congress (APC ) in Plateau Dr. Patrick Dakum , on Thursday pledged to tackle insecurity if elected Governor of the state in partnership with the security agencies to curb menace of bad eggs in the society.
The Executive Director of the Institute of Human Virology, said he would liaise with security operatives deploying security agencies in more vulnerable flashpoint areas to curtail by using traditional rulers toward identifying strangers.
He said looking at the security problem in Plateau if given the mandate first and foremost the Nigerian Civil Defence Corps, the Nigerian Police, and other security operatives to tackle insecurity in rural communities that are under attack instance, deploying across the whole local governments that will appear as trying to please some people which that idea most stop.
In his words ” If elected, I would also boost the tourism, agricultural and mining sector in Plateau and the state have upper hands in the production of Irish potatoes which the add more value change to the income.“
” I would work towards boosting local industries in Plateau turn the state as commercial hubs of the nation, as well as improve the health sector in our state.
Dakum who lauded the development strides of Governor Simon Lalong , also vowed to boost industrialization if the masses elect him as Governor of Plateau state.
Dakum further said the Institute of Human Virology, Nigeria (IHVN) which is wholly indigenous and operates as an organization, has remained indigenous to providing quality health care to Nigerians through collaboration with the University of Maryland in the USA.
” We collaborate with the University of Maryland in the USA and other partners through a memorandum of understanding.
“We will continue to receive technical support from the University of Maryland in the area of HIV surveillance and program implementation.”
Dakum, who said the institute had qualified virologists and renowned scientists from Nigeria as researchers, including Emeritus Professor Umaru Shehu as chairman of the board, pointed out that Shehu was one of the researchers at the forefront of smallpox eradication.
He added that IHVN’s collaboration with the University of Maryland was quite extensive.
He further added that he has done well in providing Jobs for citizens of the state in the institute.
Dakum a Medical Doctor by training further added that he would ensure that Youth are gainfully employed if elected as Governor as well tackle Youth restiveness.
He called on citizens of the state to support the APC-led administration at all times.
Dr. Patrick Dakum: Well, It is a great pleasure to interact with you. I am Dr Patrick Dakum, a native of Jiblik village of Pankshin Local Government Area.
My early beginnings started in Bwanzuhum Tilengten a boundary settlement between Mupun and Mwahavul tribes. Much of my early life was shaped there before we moved to Zaria (from 1959 – to 1960), where my father worked as a staff of the Institute of Agriculture of the Ahmadu Bello University.
Following that, we returned to Plateau, where he worked briefly with the mining company till 1967 etc.
What I have just described above, is what defines much of my childhood and upbringing. However, if I am to elaborate on the true essence of my being, I will say that I am a child of God –driven by my faith in Christ and his ultimate sacrifice for humanity. And so, as a man of conviction and faith, I believe that one’s faith must show in good works and deeds.
If that is not the case –then such a faith is as good as a ritual. Furthermore, I believe that “Faith”, “Family” and “Friends” –these three “F”s are critical in shaping one’s outlook. And to illustrate this point more simply, “faith” gives one the capacity, empathy and ability to relate to humanity, “family” gives one the social enablement to pursue all demands that faith requires and “friends” are the support pillar because God never intended for one to be alone (else he would have created individual planets for everyone).
The other facet about me is of course the professional side. I am a medical doctor –who has specialized in public health and one time commissioner for information and Health under Dariye as engine room.
I completed my medical training in 1982, which means I have been practicing as a medical doctor for the past 37 years. My long and illustrious career has enabled me to pursue one of my cardinal passions –which is working with people and meeting their needs. On a day-to-day basis, I work with the Institute of Human Virology, Nigeria. A non-governmental organization that was established by the University of Maryland USA, with a mandate to contribute to supporting the private sector in mitigating disease of epidemic nature.
We started-out working with HIV, then we did quite a lot of work on malaria and now we continue to work on non-communicable diseases.
Socially, I am a family man –married to a beautiful wife and I have 5 sons –but unfortunately, one was called to be with the Lord a few years ago, so now I have 4. But beyond being a husband and a father, I am a grandfather to a gorgeous granddaughter who is now 3 years old.
