Connect with us

News

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

Published

on

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.

Advertisement

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.

READ ALSO: Insecurity: Edo Govt Trains Additional 1500 Vigilante Operatives

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.

Advertisement

“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.

Advertisement

READ ALSO: Drama As NANS Convention Produces 3 Factional Presidents

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.”

Advertisement

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.

READ ALSO: Why I Killed My Mother’s Benefactor – 18-year-old Suspect Confesses

Advertisement

“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.”

Advertisement

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.

Advertisement

News

Group Defends VC Selection At FUGUS, Alleges Sabotage By Petitioners

Published

on

A Civil society organisation, Kwararafa League for Good Governance has raised the alarm over what it described as a coordinated attempt to undermine the ongoing process of appointing a new Vice Chancellor at the Federal University, Gusau (FUGUS), Zamfara State.

In a strongly worded petition addressed to the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, the group condemned a recent lawsuit filed at the National Industrial Court, Abuja, by three academic staff of the university, namely Professors Ahmad Galadima, Ibrahim Garba Zurmi, and Dr. Anas Sani Anka, against the university’s Governing Council and Management.

The petitioners had challenged the Council’s adoption of a minimum of ten (10) years post-professorial experience as requirement for applicants vying for the position of Vice Chancellor, a criterion they argued was designed to disqualify certain candidates.

Advertisement

In a counter petition to the education minister, the Kwararafa League insisted that the criterion was valid and aligns with directives issued by the Federal Ministry of Education and the National Universities Commission (NUC), particularly a pronouncement made by the Minister in May 2025, which emphasises on adherence to this standard by all university councils.

READ ALSO:NDLEA Intercepts 174 Parcels Of Cocaine Hidden In Body Cream Containers

It is important to note that for the fact that some universities refused to abide by the directive does not make it legal or constitutional,” the group stated in the petition signed by its coordinator, Samuel Bature.

Advertisement

The group also accused the petitioners of pursuing selfish agenda and attempting to destabilize the institution.

They alleged that the Pro-Chancellor, Hon. Aminu Sani Isaac, may have prior connections to one of the claimants who reportedly received informal assurances of being appointed Vice Chancellor despite not meeting the advertised requirements.

Describing the lawsuit as “baseless and malicious,” the group maintained that the university has operated in full compliance with applicable laws and guidelines, and called on the minister not to recognise or support the ongoing legal challenge.

Advertisement

READ ALSO:Russian Strikes Kill Five In Ukraine, Cause Power Outages

This representation is made in good faith, as a body committed to fairness, justice, and the development of education in Nigeria,” the petition stated.

The League also urged the Minister to direct the University’s Governing Council to take disciplinary action against the trio involved in the litigation, citing their actions as detrimental to the peace and credibility of the university system.

Advertisement

Copies of the petition were also sent to the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), the President of the National Industrial Court, and the Pro-Chancellor of FUGUS.

As the legal and administrative battle continues, stakeholders in the education sector await the ministry’s response and the final outcome of the Vice Chancellor selection process.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

News

Oba of Benin Renews Bond With Ancestral Relations, Nigerians During Emorhọ Feast

Published

on

The palace of the Oba of Benin was agog with activities during the 2025 Emorhọ fest, declared by Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku, Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II, Oba of Benin as part of activities to mark the ancient Emorhọ, otherwise known as the ‘New Yam Festival’.

Oba of Benin, who reenacted the age-long festival, renewed the bond that exist between him and his ancestral relations from Issele-Uku in Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State at the event, which attracted dignitaries, including Benin people, indigenes and non-indigenes across Edo State.

Members of the Benin Royal family, Edionwere (village heads), youth leaders across the various communities in Benin, market women group, palace chiefs, traditional priests and priestesses in Benin, were also in attendance.

Advertisement

READ ALSO:Oba Of Benin Declares Two-week Fasting, Prayer For Edo

A special prayer offered on behalf of the palace by Chief Enorense Ozigbo-Esere, the Osuma of Benin, paved the way for the commencement of the feast, where Secretary to the Benin Traditional Council, Frank Irabor, welcomed guests and highlighted the essence of the gathering.

Speaking in an interview, Oba Ewuare younger ancestral relations from Issele-Uku led by Chief Michael Odiakosa, expressed delight for the privilege to be part of the historic celebration.

Advertisement

He explained the relationship between Benin and Issele-Uku, reaffirming that, “Issele-Uku is an extension of Benin Kingdom. We are all descendants of Benin. So, we are at home”.

READ ALSO:Oba Of Benin Ushers In ‘Emorọ’

We are in a safe place. We came to celebrate the festival with our father, the Omo N’ Oba, and we are happy to be here”, Odiakosa said.

Advertisement

On his part, 99-year-old Pa. Paul Osarumwense Oyemwen, the Odionwere of Orior-Ozolua community in Uhunmwode LGA who thanked the Oba for the gesture, said the festival is not new in Benin and it’s devoid of sacrifices.

Expressing her appreciation to the Oba of Benin, the ‘Edo markets leader’, Pastor (Mrs) Josephine Ibhaguezejele, noted that members of the group have been waiting anxiously for the opportunity to partake in the yearly festival, while praying God that the blessings of the festival to transform lives.

Also speaking, Pa. Daniel Osunde, the Odionwere of Idumwun-owina, N’ Iyeke-orhiomwon, also prayed for the Oba and thanked the first Class traditional ruler for his foresight.

Advertisement

Excited guests in their numbers were fed with African delicacy, amid dancing and jubilation, while members of Isikhian women group who gave a good account of their stewardship, were not left out in the celebration by the Oba who rewarded them with cash gift and other items in acknowledgement their duties in Benin.

Continue Reading

News

Okpebholo Poised To Surpassing People’s Expectations — Edo Deputy Gov

Published

on

Edo deputy governor, Hon Dennis Idahosa has assured that the Governor Monday Okpebholo-led administration is poised to surpass the expectations of the people of the state in terms of campaign promises fulfilment.

Idahosa said that the administration had hit the grand running right from the day of inauguration by identifying and prioritising the key areas of the SHINE agenda for implementation.

A statement by Mr Friday Aghedo, Chief Press Secretary to the deputy governor, said Idahosa spoke when he received the prestigious Peace Ambassador Award from the International Association of World Peace Advocates (IAWPA).

Advertisement

The award ceremony held at the deputy governor’s office during a courtesy visit by the leadership of the IAWPA led by the President, Amb. Per Stafsen, the South-South Coordinator/Edo state Director, Amb. Amos Areloegbe, and other zonal representatives.

READ ALSO:Okpebholo Warns Companies Against Fuelling Edo–Delta Boundary Dispute

“We pray, by the grace of God, Edo State will surpass the expectations of the people when we are through with our tenure,” he declared.

Advertisement

Idahosa described the recognition as a source of pride, not just for him, but for the Governor Monday Okpebholo-led administration.

Governor Okpebholo is a man of peace, and his government stands firmly for peace. This award is a validation of his unwavering commitment to building a safe and harmonious Edo State,” he said.

The Deputy Governor emphasized that peace and security remain central pillars of the government’s five-point SHINE agenda, noting that collaboration with traditional institutions, religious leaders, and civil society organizations has been vital in sustaining stability across the state.

Advertisement

READ ALSO:

Peace is extremely important in any society. Where there is peace, there is security; where insecurity prevails, peace cannot exist.

“This recognition today strengthens our resolve to continue being ambassadors of peace,” Idahosa stated.

Advertisement

On his part, Amb. Amos Areloegbe noted that IAWPA, a United Nations–certified body aligned with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), deliberately chose Edo State to commemorate the International Day of Non-Violence on October 2.

According to him, “Edo State remains one of the most peaceful states in the federation, hence our choice to celebrate here.”

The investiture was hailed by observers as not only an honour to Idahosa but also as an acknowledgment of Edo’s growing reputation as a bastion of peace under Governor Okpebholo’s leadership.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Trending