…We want to be among top three in Nigeria – Moyo Kassim, Provost

By Ozioruva Aliu

SIXTY years after the School of Health was founded by the Midwest Region one year after it was created out of the Western Region, Governor Godwin Obaseki has commissioned a remodeled institution now known as the Edo state College of Health Sciences and Technology with modern facilities.

The  said he was motivated to carry out a reform in the health sector as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic that almost crippled the world and exposed deficiencies in the health sector in the state and Nigeria.

The colourful ceremony attracted community leaders from the area who claimed that the area used to house the Benin Palace until it was relocated by Ogiso Igodo about 40 BC.

Also in attendance was the governor of Zamara State, Dr Dauda Lawal who advocated for an exchange programme as he said he was doing a similar thing in his state.

The Commissioning was also coincided with the 60th anniversary of the school and the matriculation ceremony.

Other dignitaries at the event included the Edo State Deputy Governor, Marvellous Godwins Omobayo; candidate of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo 2024 governorship election, Dr. Asue Ighodalo and chairman of the Edo PDP, Dr. Anthony Aziegbemi, among others.

 Governor Obaseki called for support from all stakeholders to ensure the sustainability of all programmes and projects embarked on by his government to better the lives of the people including revamping of institutions which he said was part of his administration’s commitment to build on the legacy of the State’s founding fathers.

 Obaseki said, “60 years ago, our founding fathers, having broken away from the Western Region came and founded the Mid-West Region and decided that an institution like this was very important to our healthcare system and therefore founded this school 60 years ago.

“For some accidents of history, people came along the line and never appreciated an institution like this.”

 The Zamfara State Governor commended Obaseki for prioritizing the needs of the people, noting that Governor Obaseki has rekindled hope in Edo State and Nigeria.

He said, “As we gather here, I am reminded of the transformative power of vision and determination under the capable and 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.

 “Listening to the details of this whole project, I commend my brother for this shining example of what can be achieved when resilience, vision, and dedication comes together. As I looked at the students being matriculated here today, I will say to you that you are the symbol of our hope and pride.

 “You represent the abundant potential that exists in Edo State and in our Country in general. Don’t limit yourself, study and excel. Protect this investment for yourself and future generations of students yet to come.”

The governor added, “Aside from producing health professionals, I pray that this institution would be a bridge to connect people, create jobs and foster economic growth for both within and outside Edo State and stand as a testament to unlock talents.”

 The Odionwere of the community, Fred Egbobawaye commended the governor for the new college, adding that it would bring new life to the community and promised that they would protect it and ensure that succeeding governments don’t abandon the school again.

 Obaseki said healthcare is not just the hospital or infrastructure you see but the people who must be able to deliver services to you.

 “COVID-19 opened my eyes. The school of nursing closed down, no accreditation, school of health technology was closed down too. How are we therefore employing people working in our hospital?

 Obaseki continued: “I brought down Central Hospital and have no regret as we now have 10 primary healthcare centers replacing that and serving the people well now. Go and see what we have done with Oredo Primary Healthcare Center, Amagba, Evbuotubu and other places we are building centres.

“Nigeria has more than 25,000 political wards, and the policy is that there must be one PHCs in every ward so that the sick don’t need to travel far to get medical care. We have almost 200 wards in Edo. If you need 10 people in each PHC, how many workers would we require? That’s about 2,000. Where do we train them?

“In Nigeria, we need more than 250,000 healthcare workers from our PHC system.

 “To develop any system, the focus must be on the middle level manpower and it’s important to train every other worker in the chain to enable us get quality healthcare.

 “An effective primary healthcare center helps detect diseases and save lives because the disease is treated entirely and will not lead you to seek medical care abroad.

 “These students here in this school will be trained to the highest quality because the facilities on this campus are better than the facilities in many universities in Nigeria. Just go round and see for yourself.

 “I was here about two days ago to come and inspect the facilities here and saw young students coming into the institution for their academic pursuit, I was almost emotional.”

 He continued: “In 2016, when I came in as governor, these young people did not have this opportunity but rather were victims of trafficking and illegal migration and were turned into slaves. The young ones had no hope as nobody cared for them as it was always about politics. When I look around and see the opportunities we are creating for young people, I have no regrets. If there is a need to fight, I will continue to fight for the interest and the betterment of the young people of Edo State.

 ”This project was started a year ago. I wish we had money, we would have started it earlier. People make things happen, not money alone.

 Earlier in his welcome address, the Provost of the Institution, Dr. Moyo Kassim, commended Governor Obaseki for investing in the institution which he said has now become one of the best schools of health sciences in Nigeria and that he would ensure it is among the first three in the country.

 He said “I thank the Executive Governor of Edo State for bringing this College Project to a positive reality. If not you, Your Excellency, who could have remembered us. For what you have done, the management and staff of this College will ever remain grateful to you.”

 To the matriculating students, he charged, “Our vision is to make the Edo State College of Health Science and Technology (EDOCOHEST) the best, and the top 3 (three) colleges of health sciences and technology in Nigeria, and this will be reflected in you as our students.

 “The future holds many challenges and successes for all of you. Each of you will have your own unique opportunities to grow; and I am therefore confident that you will rise to every occasion.”