From Tony Osauzo, Benin
The Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, has called for stakeholder support in order to actualize the proposed new federal projects in Edo State and the South-South.
He made the call when the Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, paid him a courtesy visit in his palace in Benin City, where he briefed the monarch and his Chiefs about the activities of his Ministry.
The proposed federal government projects include the National Orthopaedic Hospital and the National Fistula Hospital as well as the Centre of Excellence for Sickle Cell Anaemia treatment at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Benin City.
The Benin monarch commended the minister for supporting the return of looted Benin artefacts and the efforts of his Ministry in curbing Coronavirus pandemic in the country.
The traditional ruler who spoke in Edo Language said “You are doing your job there and you are getting results.
“It is important to give a piece of advice and support you with prayers that will enable you to achieve your goals. We are aware that there seem to be some challenges. We will assist you.
“You will recall that the discussion between us on the National Orthopaedic Hospital did not start today…It is important for the Edo people to support this project.
“It is an emergency. This goes to show that your tenure as a minister is yielding fruits; the Edo people are blessed.
“We should continue to support him and his ministry in prayer so that nobody will divert the good things that are coming to Edo State. It shall be well with all of us”, the Oba prayed.
Addressing the Benin throne earlier, the minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, highlighted the immense benefits of the projects including employment creation, and improve productivity in the healthcare delivery system.
He attributed bureaucratic bottlenecks in acquiring land from the State Government as largely responsible for the delay in the takeoff of the National Orthopaedic Hospital project.
Ehanire noted that the Edo people are benefiting from the Buhari administration’s transformation agenda.