News
UBTH: Confusion Trails Mother, Child Medical Bills Offset By Okpebholo

Mr. Umoru Imokha Abdulahi, whose wife’s medical bills was allegedly offset by Edo State governor, Monday Okpebholo, after the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH’s) detention has opened up, claiming that his family did not get such a gesture from the governor.
Recall that after media report of the detention of Abdullahi’s wife and child for the family inability to offset the medical bill of N330,000, Edo State governor, Okpehbolo, reportedly ordered the immediate offset of Abdullahi’s family bills at the UBTH.
In a statement announcing the offset of the bills which was signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Fred Itua some days ago, Okpebholo, represented at the UBTH by his Special Adviser on Health Matters, Precious Ogboru, and Executive Assistant, James Iorkusah, was said to have offset the medical bills of a family which the statement addressed as Innocent Akpan as against Umoru Imokha Abdulahi’s.
The CPS statement reads: “The governor, represented by his Special Adviser on Health Matters, Precious Ogboru, and Executive Assistant, James Iorkusah, visited the mother and her newborn at UBTH and emphasized the state government’s commitment to the health and welfare of its citizens, especially the vulnerable.”
READ ALSO: UBTH CMD Laments Inadequate Heath Workers, As Minister Promises Increased Funding
It added: “The affected family, led by Mr. Innocent Akpan, expressed deep appreciation to the governor for the timely intervention.
“According to Akpan, his wife, Mercy Bassy, and their newborn had been detained for over two weeks due to unpaid medical bills.”
However, reacting to the alleged offset of the medical bills, Abdullahi said he did not receive a dime from the governor, adding that his family was suddenly chased out of the ward like common thieves.
Abdullahi, who spoke in pidgin at the secretariat of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Edo State council, said: “The governor no pay us any money. The 200,000 wey I first pay, when I come reach house, my wife come dey call me say them come they meet her dey threaten her say nah me want draw their legs come outside (this must have been after media report of the detention by UBTH).
READ ALSO: UBTH Gives Ultimatum To Owners Unclaimed Corpses
“So, the CMD wey me dey beg ever since and welfare wen dem no listen, wey dey even dey cause me say na me wey no get money want born baby, before I know, I don see my baby things with my wife for outside. Dem still collects the N40,000. wey dey my hand.
“After that dem come dey pursue us ‘go, go, go’ like say we thieve something. Ever since then my wife no get herself. Them don earlier write some drips and injection, but dem no give us.
“We get the information say governor dey come on that Thursday. We want take style wait, but dem carry me and my wife to the CMD office after dem pursue us, and before we come back another person don dey on the bed. Na later the day we hear say governor come and pay our bills. But before God and man, N5 we no receive. Na the money wey I pay earlier dem take discharge my family.
READ ALSO: Residents Raise Alarm Over UBTH Dumpsite, Say Disease Looms
“One man still call me on phone and say me na ungrateful human being, say him send N400,000, but I no fit say thank you. He say him name na Monday. Him say him be businessman from Asaba. Na UBTH account him send am to, because I no see anything on my account.”
Abdullahi, who said he has nothing currently doing after being sacked at his place of work, appealed to UBTH to release any money meant for his family, just as he begged well-to-do Nigerians to come to his aid.
Contacted on the phone by journalists, UBTH Public Relations Officer, Joshua Uwaila, used questions to answer journalists’ questions, and eventually referred journalists to the government house to get their story.
News
Shatta Wale Bailed Burna Boy From Ghana Prison After Arrest For Smoking Weed – Captan
Ghanian singer, Captan, has claimed that his former record label boss, Shatta Wale, once bailed Nigerian singer Burna Boy out of prison in Ghana after he was allegedly arrested for smoking weed.
Speaking in a recent podcast interview, Captan claimed that Shatta Wale sent him and others to free Burna Boy from police custody.
He also claimed that Shatta Wale and his group once accommodated Burna Boy when he was being hunted by some dangerous men.
READ ALSO: Wale Edun Opens Up After Sack
Captan said, “I once bailed Burna Boy out of prison in Ghana when he was arrested for smoking weed. Shatta Wale sent me and some guys to go and free him from police custody.
“There was a time we also accommodated him when some people were after his life. We helped him settle the case.”
He added that he and Burna Boy are no longer in good terms after the Nigerian artist’s fallout with his mentor, Shatta Wale.
He, however, said he and Shatta Wale are open to reconciling with Burna Boy if he asks for it.
Watch the video here
News
Children’s Day: Chaos At Ogbe Stadium As Dozens Faint
Chaos erupted on Wednesday during the Children’s Day celebration as dozens of students reportedly collapsed following a stampede triggered by the use of pepper spray.
The event,
organised by the Edo State Ministry of Education at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium was disrupted after some male students of Ihogbe College allegedly made uncompromising advances towards female students at the venue.
A parent who identified himself as Oboh Emmanuel said, “the behaviour of those uncultured students attracted the attention of bouncers stationed at the stadium as they rebuked the male students.”
Oboh said the affected students later regrouped and attacked the bouncers, leading to a confrontation within the crowded arena.
READ ALSO:Children’s Day: Edo Commits To Child Protection
It was gathered that in the ensuing confusion, the bouncers were reported to have deployed pepper spray in an area occupied by a large number of students.
Several students, particularly female students, reportedly fainted after inhaling the substance, while others sustained injuries after being stepped on during the ensuing melee.
The panic was said to have spread across the stadium as students, teachers and parents scampered for safety.
Many of the affected students were reportedly rushed to the Edo Specialist Hospital for medical attention.
READ ALSO: Egor LG Chair, Ogbemudia, Vice, Osawe Impeached
Reacting to the incident, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Dr Patrick Ebojele, said the security personnel that fired the tear gas had been detained.
He said all the students, except two, that were rushed to the hospital have been discharged.
Ebojele stated that doctors wanted to observe the students till tomorrow before allowing them to go home.
“The two students are not seriously injured. Doctors want to observe them overnight. Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education is still at the hospital. The man who used pepper spray has been detained.
“The incident did not happen the way it is being exaggerated. All modalities were put in place to ensure the children enjoyed their day.”
News
Okpebholo Salutes Edo Muslims, Seeks Continued Support, Prayers
Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has urged Muslims and all Nigerians to continue to pray for peace, unity and progress in the country even as they celebrate the annual Eid-al-Adha
The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Dennis Idahosa, stated this during the annual Eid-al-Adha celebration with Muslim faithfuls held at Government House in Benin City.
He reiterated his administration’s commitment to fairness, inclusivity and equal opportunities for all citizens irrespective of religion and tribe.
READ ALSO:ADC Penetrates Okpebholo’s District As Defections Strengthen Party in Edo Central
According to him, the present administration remains determined to building a government that reflects the diversity of Edo State, noting that competent and qualified Muslims have continued to play vital roles in his government because of their capacity, integrity and commitment to service.
“As a government, we remain committed to fairness, inclusivity and equal opportunity for every Edo citizen, irrespective of religion, ethnicity or political affiliation. This is why quality and competent Muslims are serving in key positions in our administration.”
Okpebholo appreciated the Muslim community in Edo State for their unwavering support and continuous prayers for his administration, noting that such prayers and support have contributed immensely to the peace and steady development being witnessed across the state.
READ ALSO:Okpebholo Felicitates Muslims On Eid-el-Fitr Celebration
He then called on all Nigerians to use the occasion of Eid-al-Adha to pray for the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, stressing that the country needs collective prayers, unity and cooperation to overcome its present economic and security challenges.
“I urge all Muslims and indeed all Nigerians to use this occasion to pray for our dear nation and for the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Nigeria needs our collective prayers, unity and support as we strive to overcome our challenges and build a more prosperous future for all.”
In his remarks, the Chief Imam of Edo State, Abdulfatai Enabulele, applauded the governor for what he described as remarkable developmental strides recorded in less than two years in office.
The cleric commended the administration for ongoing infrastructural development and efforts geared towards improving governance in the state, but appealed to the government to revisit and complete some abandoned projects inherited from the previous administration for the benefit of the people.
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