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Obaseki Commissions Merry Ehanire Hospital, Decries Nation’s Over $2bn Annually Spending On Medical Tourism

Published

2 years ago

December 3, 2023

Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State has decried the continuous spending of over $2bn annually on medical tourism by Nigerians.

Obaseki made this sentiment ɗuring the commissioning of Merry Ehanire Mother and Child Hospital, In Benin City.

The hospital was named after the late Dame Merry Oritsetemeyin Ehanire, mother of Senator Daisy Ehanire-Danjuma.

The governor, who commended Senator Daisy Danjuma’s investment in the Edo’s health sector revolution, reassured that ongoing reforms in the state’s health sector will reposition the state as a destination for medical tourism.

He said, “Listening to TY Danjuma speak, he said so many things in a very short speech. I heard him say it’s time for us to renew Nigeria and re-enact Nigeria. He said the country worked once and went to a hospital that works.

“This hospital we are commissioning today signifies more than a hospital and intervention in health care. For me, this hospital and facility signifies us re-establishing new standards for ourselves, State and Country. We are using healthcare as a starting point.

“This hospital is significant. Beyond the facilities, the timing with our economy today is important because we may not be able to afford the $2bn or $3bn spent going abroad annually to seek treatment for ourselves, TY Danjuma and his lovely wife are leading the way.”

Obaseki called on Nigerian leaders to create the facilities and environment for care to discourage people from seeking medical care abroad.

The governor noted: “The facilities and environment we seek treatment abroad can be created here in Nigeria to treat ourselves.

“Nigerians are the only ones that can do it for ourselves. If we decide to migrate abroad, we would not have the manpower to renew our system as nobody will do it for us and if they do, it will be very expensive. I am happy this hospital is coming to existence in my time as governor of Edo State. It’s like a dream come true and I am fulfilled by this achievement.”

He continued: “Six years ago, we decided on a health improving programme for Edo State. When we look at the entire spectrum of the healthcare system particularly Benin City, which huge unique advantage can make the State a medical hub?

“Healthcare is not cheap; quality healthcare is expensive as somebody needs to pay for it. We have a medical school for 50 years that has trained manpower. Healthcare is beyond infrastructure but about people.

“In Edo, we enacted a law establishing a compulsory health insurance scheme which is now working in Edo State. We are urging all to key in.”

“This facility has helped us set up the standard that we are aspiring to establish if Edo is to be a health hub because of the quality of facilities and services that this hospital will offer. It means there is a new benchmark to beat as anybody setting up a Hospital in the State must meet this standard as we are aspiring to ensure Stella Obasanjo Hospital meets this standard here,” Obaseki added.

On his part, Retired General Theophilus Danjuma, said, “We have competent staff from abroad who have agreed to come work here and we pray the management keeps them. May God help us to run and maintain the hospital properly.”

On her part, Senator Daisy Danjuma, said the standard of the hospital can compete with those outside the country as it will be of help to those in Edo and outside the State.

Senator Daisy said Nigeria ranks as the highest in terms of maternal and child mortality in the world as the hospital aims to reduce the rate.

“We put this standard to discourage you from traveling abroad as the facility here is better than some hospitals abroad. The Merry Ehanire Mother and Child Hospital has been built to significantly reduce the incidence of maternal and child mortality in Edo and Nigeria at large,” she noted.

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JUST IN: Tinubu Reverses Maryam Sanda’s Pardon, Convict To Spend Six Years In Jail

Published

2 hours ago

October 29, 2025

Editor

After backlash for granting a presidential pardon to Maryam Sanda, sentenced to death in 2020 for the killing of her husband, Bilyaminu Bello, President Bola Tinubu has revoked the pardon and reversed her sentence to 12 years.

This was revealed in an official gazette released by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Wednesday.

According to the gazette, Sanda, who had already spent six years and eight months at the Suleja Medium Security Custodial Centre, got the new approved term on compassionate grounds.

Details later…

News

JUST IN: Tinubu Bows To Pressure, Reviews Pardon For Kidnapping, Drug-related Offences

Published

2 hours ago

October 29, 2025

Editor

President Bola Tinubu has ordered a review of the presidential pardon granted to at least 175 persons at the National Council of State meeting on October 9, 2025, following nationwide outrage over the inclusion of individuals convicted of serious offences.

In a statement on Wednesday, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said, “Consequently, certain persons convicted of serious crimes such as kidnapping, drug-related offences, human trafficking, fraud, unlawful possession of firearms/arms dealing, etc., were deleted from the list.”

Onanuga added, “Others who had been hitherto pardoned in the old list had their sentences commuted.”

Details shortly…

News

JUST IN: Senate Clears Oluyede As Chief Of Defence Staff

Published

3 hours ago

October 29, 2025

Editor

The Senate on Wednesday confirmed Chief of Defence Staff-designate, General Olufemi Oluyede, as it began the screening of the newly appointed service chiefs at the National Assembly complex in Abuja.

Oluyede was confirmed barely an hour after he and other nominees arrived at the complex amid tight security.

Welcoming the nominees to the chamber, Senate President Godswill Akpabio described the screening as a constitutional duty aimed at ensuring that only the most competent and patriotic officers are entrusted with safeguarding the nation.

Akpabio said, “Distinguished colleagues, it is with great pleasure that I welcome our newly appointed Service Chiefs to the hallowed chamber of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

On behalf of the entire Senate, “I congratulate you on your well-deserved appointments and commend you for the years of dedicated service you have rendered to our great nation.”

He further explained that the exercise was part of the Senate’s oversight responsibility to guarantee discipline and professionalism within the armed forces, adding that the chamber looked forward to a constructive interaction that would strengthen Nigeria’s security system.

The Senate President added, “Today’s exercise is in keeping with our constitutional duty to provide oversight and ensure that only the most competent, patriotic, and disciplined officers are entrusted with the task of safeguarding our national security and territorial integrity.”

Leading the delegation, Oluyede arrived at the National Assembly complex around 10 a.m. alongside other senior officers. The nominees are being screened by the Committee of the Whole, chaired by Akpabio, before formal confirmation.

Their appearance follows a letter from President Tinubu, which was read during Tuesday’s plenary, urging the Red Chamber to give “expeditious consideration” to the nominations.

The President listed the nominees as General Olufemi Oluyede (Chief of Defence Staff), Major General Waheedi Shaibu (Chief of Army Staff), Rear Admiral Idi Abbas (Chief of Naval Staff), Air Vice Marshal Kennedy Aneke (Chief of Air Staff), and Major General Emmanuel Undiendeye (Chief of Defence Intelligence).

The screening comes just a week after Tinubu held a closed-door meeting with the new service chiefs at the Presidential Villa — his first official engagement with the military hierarchy following last week’s sweeping shake-up in the armed forces.

According to the Presidency, the appointments form part of the administration’s broader efforts to strengthen the national security architecture and improve coordination among the military and intelligence agencies.

Tinubu had also lauded the outgoing service chiefs for their “patriotic service and leadership” and urged their successors to justify the confidence reposed in them by upholding professionalism, unity, and vigilance within the Armed Forces.