Edo State is pledging to reclaim assets illegally diverted by the past administration and to strengthen public healthcare infrastructure and services.
Edo State Government has vowed to reclaim state-owned assets that were illegally acquired or sold by the immediate past administration. Governor Monday Okpebholo made the pledge while receiving leadership of the Nigerian Bar Association, Benin City Branch, along with members of the Local Organising Committee for the upcoming NBA National Executive Committee.
He also sharply criticized his predecessor’s refusal to swear in three judges, calling it “a slap on the judiciary” and describing it as a grave injustice against the state’s justice system. After assuming office, Okpebholo fulfilled his inaugural speech promise by swearing in Judges Ojo Osa, Okundamiya Jeff and Edoghogho Eboigbe for the Edo State High Court on December 2, 2024.
In a related development, the government pledged to enhance the state’s public healthcare system. Deputy Governor Dennis Idahosa said: “I must thank Governor Okpebholo for swiftly reclaiming properties belonging to the Edo State Government that were diverted to private entities. Edo Specialist Hospital is now back where it rightfully belongs, serving the people, not private interests.” He also remarked that “Unlike what we saw in the past, when the hospital was almost turned into a private business, today it caters to everyone, not just a privileged few.”
Chief Medical Director of Edo Specialist Hospital, Dr. Anthonia Njoku, praised the state government’s interventions as “timely,” adding that the administration’s support had been instrumental in advancing accreditation and service expansion.