Palace news

Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II, Oba of Benin, has enjoined the newly elected local government chairmen to assist in the fight against illegal migration and human trafficking, as well as insecurity in their domains.

The monarch gave the charge, when the Commissioner for Local Government and Community Matters, Hon. (Barr.) Jimoh Ijegbai led the 18 local government chairmen to pay a courtesy visit in the palace.

The Oba commended Governor Godwin Obaseki and expressed hope that the chairmen will do their best to complement the governor’s good works.

He advised the chairmen to look inward for local resources they could exploit for the development of their councils.

The Omo N’Oba urged them to channel the councils’ resources towards meeting the people’s developmental need, rather than using them to service political godfathers.

On the problems posed by human trafficking, the Oba advised the chairmen to engage in sensitisation of people in the grassroots on the dangers inherent in it, just as he charged them to take the issue of insecurity very seriously.

The Oba specifically drew the attention of chairmen of Uhunmwode and Egor to the needs of their people and admonished them to do everything possible to impact on the citizens and villages in the locality.

He assured them of the palace support in their efforts to develop the councils.

Earlier, Hon. Jimoh Ijegbai said he was in the palace to introduce the newly elected local government chairmen, and seek for royal blessings for them to succeed in complementing Governor Godwin Obaseki’s efforts to develop Edo State.

Ijegbai thanked the Omo N’Oba for his support over the years and sued for continued cooperation of the royal father.

Some local government chairmen, including Hon. Napoleon Agbama, Uhunmwode, Hon. Eghe Ogbemudia, Egor, Hon. Victor Emuakhagbon, Esan South-East, Hon. Josie Ogedegbe, Igueben and Comrade John Akhigbe, Etsako Central, said they would do as directed by the Omo N’Oba, especially in the areas of insecurity, human trafficking and council development.

The Chief Medical Director of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Dr. Darlington Obaseki, also led chairmen of Board and other directors of the hospital on a courtesy visit to his Royal Majesty, Ewuare II, Oba of Benin.

The Board chairman, Bashorun Adedoja Adewolu said they were in the palace to receive royal blessings to enable them achieve the best for UBTH, just like they did 24 years ago for the Psychiatric Hospital, Uselu.

He described UBTH as the first and the best in the South-South region, and assured that they would do their best to make the hospital excel in research, teaching and treatment.

His Royal Majesty urged the Board chairman to use his wealth of experience as a seasoned hospital administrator and traditional ruler to make success of the health institution.

The Omo N’Oba called on UBTH staff and management to cooperate with the Board so that the hospital could reach greater heights. He assured them of palace support at all times.