Nosakhare Agbonigiarhuoyi
Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has commissioned the newly revamped Edo State College of Health Sciences and Technology (EDOCOHEST), while celebrating the Institution’s 60th anniversary and the matriculation of newly admitted students.
The Institution which alongside the Edo State College of Nursing Sciences was shut down before the advent of the Obaseki administration in 2016, has now been been reconstructed and reaccredited for optimal functioning within the health ecosystem, the same way the College of Nursing Sciences was resuscitated by the current administration.
The event also saw the formal hand over of the rehabilitated institution to Edo State Government by the contractors and consultants in charge of the revamp and upgrade of the school.
Speaking during the commissioning ceremony at the school premises, on Wednesday October 30, 2024, the Governor asserted that the rehabilitated campus is adequately equipped with state-of-the-art facilities required of a world-class institution.
According to Obaseki, “Healthcare is not only hospital. Healthcare is not just the infrastructure you see when you are sick. Healthcare is a system. The most important thing in any healthcare system are the people who must be trained to deliver services to you.
“I had to bring down Central Hospital and I have no regret. In place of Central Hospital, we now have almost 10 primary healthcare centres serving the population a single hospital used to serve. Nigeria has more than 25,000 political wards, and the policy is that there must be a minimum of one healthcare centre in every ward, so that if you are sick, you don’t have to travel far. That is what we are doing in Edo State.”
Commenting on the return on investment to the people, the Governor stated: “These young girls and boys we have given admission in this institution will be trained to the highest quality, because the facilities in this school are better than the facilities in many universities in Nigeria. In 2016 when I came in as Governor, these young people did not have this kind of opportunity. They probably would have been victims of traffickers and those who were encouraging illegal migration. They had no hope. Nobody seemed to care for them.
“So today, when I look around, and I see the opportunities that we are creating for young people, I have no regrets. I am grateful to God for giving me a chance to be Governor. If I have to continue and fight, I will continue to fight for the interest and betterment of the young people of Edo State.”
Speaking on the fears regarding the sustainability of the revamped institution and other people-centred interventions by his administration, Obaseki called on all stakeholders to ensure their preservation, urging the people to speak out against any form of governance that derails from the current developmental trajectory.
“You must speak up. Government must be about the people and for the people. When you see something going wrong, speak up. It is your money. When you see people doing things that are not right, do not be afraid to fight; because if you do not fight, you will suffer for it. So we can sustain what we have started if the people do not keep quiet. If you the beneficiaries, parents and management speak up, then the right thing will be done.
“Sustainability is not the responsibility of only one person. Sustainability is our collective responsibility. It will be our fault if we allow things to go back to what they used to be. When you see something that is not right, talk about it. Thank God for the social media and the internet. Let people know what is going on. If we all do that, then we can sustain the good work”, Obaseki admonished.
On his part, the special guest of honour at the event, the Governor of Zamfara State, His Excellency, Dr. Dauda Lawal, commended Obaseki for his visionary leadership, while making a case for synergy among health institutions in various states of the Federation through exchange programs, particularly between Zamfara and Edo.
According to Dauda, “As we gather here, I am reminded of the transformative power of vision and determination under the visionary leadership of His Excellency, my brother, Governor Obaseki, who has rekindled hope in Edo State, that with a clear vision, excellence is possible, despite all odds in our dear Country. After seeing this whole project, I commend my brother for this shining example of what can be achieved when resilience, vision and dedication are in play. As I look at the students being matriculated here today, I will say to you that you are our symbol of hope and pride.”
Highlight of the event was the formal commissioning of the institution which was done by the Governor of Zamfara State, Dr. Dauda Lawal.
The occasion also featured the matriculation of over 400 newly admitted students, and the presentation of awards by the Institution to Governor Godwin Obaseki, Governor Dauda Lawal, and other deserving individuals.
Also present at the event were: Edo State Head of Service, Dr. Anthony Okungbowa Esq.; Edo State PDP Chairman, Dr. Tony Aziegbemi; PDP gubernatorial candidate at the just concluded election, Dr. Asue Ighodalo; Members of the State Executive Council, top government officials, amongst others.
