By Sam Akadoro - Sapele
Most people are not commended while they are still living. They are praised to the heavens when they pass on.
However, the traditional ruler of Oghara Kingdom, His Royal Majesty Noble Oyibo Eshemitan, Orefe 111, Uku Oghara Na-me, the Ovie of Oghara Kingdom, has commended Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of State and the management of the Delta State University Teaching Hospital Oghara Ethiope West Local Government Area for the successful kidney transplant that was carried out by the teaching hospital.
The monarch gave the commendation while speaking with journalists in his palace at Oghara, the head quarters of Ethiope West Local Government Area. The traditional ruler said that such activity was one of the reasons why the Delta State University Teaching Hospital is seen as a great institution.
Commenting on the culture of maintenance at the teaching hospital, he commended management and staff of the teaching hospital.
The Ovie said Oghara indigenes are law abiding, democrats and well meaning Nigerians, who are ready to protect and maintain any government property in the locality for the benefit of humanity and the community. The monarch added that the community is providing the right atmosphere for the teaching hospital to thrive.
The traditional ruler said since he assumed office, he has able to tackle the issue of youth restiveness when the hospital management brought it to his notice. He further stressed the need for the youths to obey constituted authority and know that they are the leaders of tomorrow and as such, be good ambassadors of the teaching hospital and the community.
However, the traditional ruler while speaking on the Delta State government intervention in the hospital, commended the state government under the leadership of Uduaghan for doing a lot for the hospital and expressed satisfaction at the vision of the former governor of the state, Chief James Ibori, for establishing such an institution and lauded Uduaghan’s administration of building upon what his predecessor started. He expressed satisfaction with management of the hospital led by Dr. Leslie
Akporiaye for the management’s expertise and foresight, adding that the relationship between the community and the hospital was quite harmonious and reciprocal
However, another traditional ruler said, “I am His Royal Majesty Tadaferua Edward (JP) Erhiekevwe 1, Ovie of Idjerhe Kingdom (Ododo). I can categorically state that the Delta State University Teaching Hospital, Oghara, started by our able son, former governor of Delta State, Chief James Onanefe Ibori, is expanding by the day and the development there is great, the present governor of Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, is a medical doctor and is quite abreast of the modern techniques of medicine. I am actually not surprised that he has taken the developmental strides of the hospital to world class.” Speaking further, Erhiekevwe 1 added, ‘’the hospital recorded a breakthrough in the kidney transplant surgery and I was very proud to see Uduaghan as part of the medical team that performed the feat and I want to use this opportunity to congratulate him on his professional excellence and other medical personnel that took part in that exercise.’’
He said he was proud that the hospital is located in his domain. He advised those with kidney challenges to make use of the excellent and the state of the art medical equipment at the teaching hospital than rushing to India, Europe and America to seek medical attention.
On the relationship between the hospital and its host community, the monarch said that having been to the hospital to seek medical attention, he was very aware that the institution has been very useful to its immediate hosts.
‘’I was quite satisfied with the medical facilities and health care delivery system and it is my candid hope that they will continue to improve on the present state of development. “However, as the traditional ruler of Idjerhe Kingdom and one of the traditional rulers of the Ethiope West local government area, I will be glad if the traditional rulers are carried along in such development as employment. I, however, advise that any positive development in the hospital should be spread so that, we, as stakeholders, will fully be committed to the development of the hospital.’’
On youth protest against corporate bodies like the teaching hospital, the monarch had this to say” ‘’Unemployment has been the cause of youth restiveness because most of them will not leave their places of work to cause trouble if they were employed but I wish to appeal to the youths that much as we sympathise with them, they must not resort to violence when they want to seek for opportunities in the industries. As an apostle of peaceful dialogue in achieving set objectives, I have been a victim of youth violence.
“My palace was subjected to arson because I did not support a violent option of settling a matter. I wish to appeal to corporate bodies and successful individuals to apply their fortunes to alleviate the suffering of others.
“For the purpose of emphasis, I wish to state again that our son did a noble job by establishing the hospital, which is not only a pride to Delta State but to Nigeria. By this great feat of a kidney transplant, Governor Uduaghan and the medical team have performed a great feat. We only pray that when Uduaghan must have completed his tenure, the governor that will take over will still have the same spirit of developing the teaching hospital.’’
On the management of the hospital headed by its Chief Medical Director, Dr. Leslie Akporiaye, Erhiekevwe 1 Ovie of Idjerhe Kingdom said he awarded the management more than 80 per cent mark. He pointed out that the management of the hospital has done well in their duties, saying without their hark work, the breakthrough could not be achieved. He noted that when the appropriate manpower is put place, the right result is what you have.