By Nosakhare Agbonigiarhuoyi
The Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has urged retired senior civil servants to take advantage of the Edo State Health Insurance Scheme (EdoHIS).
He gave the charge on Tuesday, December 13, 2022, during the send-forth ceremony for some retired senior civil servants at Government House, Benin City.
Obaseki congratulated the retirees for their service to the State and for their continuous support for his administration.
“We have introduced the Edo State Health Insurance Scheme (EdoHIS) as part of our total revamp of our healthcare system.
“Please look at that scheme and see how we can use it to support you,” the Governor urged.
The EdoHIS package includes individual health plans comprising the equity, student, bronze, silver, gold and platinum plans with varying costs as well as the family plan which provides for 5% discount for a family of four and above on any health plan.
He maintained that civil and public servants have a pivotal role in ensuring that the reforms of his administration are sustained.
“Civil servants are not talking enough, and they are allowing other people to determine the narrative.
“If you don’t speak up so that we get a lot more buy-in from the communities to sustain the reforms we have made, then we cannot guarantee that we will sustain these reforms”, he said.
On his part, the Edo State Head of Service, Anthony Okungbowa Esq, thanked the retirees immensely for their contributions to the growth and development of the Service, adding that they should be ready to offer their contributions when called upon.
“We are proud to have been associated with great men and women like you, from whose wealth of experience many of us have gained tremendously.
“I can proudly say that the building blocks which you firmly laid in your time have in no small measure contributed to the successes that we have today”, Okungbowa said.
Responding, former Head of Service, Mr. Isaac Ebose Ehiozuwa, who was the spokesperson for the retirees, expressed appreciation to the State Government for the opportunities to serve.
He said: “I want to thank the Governor of Edo State for the transformation that he has brought to bear in Edo State.
“Edo State is now in the eyes of the whole nation. Even the federal government and other sub-national governments are copying from Edo State”.
The list of retirees includes 2 Heads of service and 19 Permanent Secretaries, including the current Edo State Commissioner for Justice, Oluwole Iyamu SAN, who served in the capacity of a Permanent Secretary.
The highlight of the event was the presentation of gifts to the retired heads of service and permanent secretaries.
