The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare Dr Iziaq Adekunle Salako has restated that creation of more Federal Tertiary Hospital across the country signified unwavering commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to provide quality health as it’s the top priority of the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Dr. Salako made the remarks while receiving His Royal Merjesty, Engineer Michael Ogheneove Orugbo, Okporua I, Ovie of Udu kingdom from Delta state who was on a courtesy visit to the Honourable Minister’s office in Abuja.
The Minister noted that history has indicated that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu led administration established the highest number of Federal Tertiary Health Institutions within short period compare to the previous past administrations.
He expressed appreciation for the visit, describing it as first of its kind extended to the Ministry by community leaders who benefited from the establishment of such institutions in their domain, attributing it to the passion of the paramount ruler.
Dr. Salako who further said that Oviam Federal Medical Center was established by the approval and enablement of Mr. President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, also appreciated the Governor and the Government of Delta States for coming up very quickly to cooperate with the Ministry of Health in this direction.
He announced that directive has been given to the Medical Director of the hospital to develop a five year working plan to help in budgeting process, assuring that the groundbreaking ceremony at the permanent site will be done before the first term of Mr. President.
The Health Minister, appreciated the personal donation of drugs worth millions of Naira by Ovie of Udu kingdom to the facility, the land donation by the community, and digital items donated by Oyeye Foundation.
He added that government has also provided commodities of millions of Naira, explaining that the facility belong to the community, thereby they should protect it and work closely with government so that there can be continuity, stressing that because it is continuity that will guarantee the accomplishment of government plans for the hospital.
On the digital items donated by Oyeye Foundation to the hospital, the Minister, directed that the Medical Director should liase with the digital team in the Department of Health Planning Research and Statistics of Ministry for proper guidance on how the digital system of the Ministry operates.
Earlier in his remarks, Ovie of Udu kingdom, His Royal Merjesty, Engineer Michael Ogheneove Orugbo, Okporua I stated that they were at the ministry to express their appreciation to the Honourable Minister for recommending the establishment of Federal Medical Center in his Kingdom which was graciously approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, describing the support of the Ministry as a wonderful one.
Enumerating some of the economic facilities located in Udu Kingdom, such the first direct steel production plant in the entire Africa, former Delta Steel Company, the largest gas plant in Nigeria and West Africa, the Royal Highness said they are more excited with health facility. “Because from our own perspective, health and education are the fore-burner of any development in the society.” His Merjesty reiterated.
He pledged that the kingdom as people will continue to support the federal government, and the state government for an immediate take-off from temporary sites, saying that the temporary site was graciously given to them by the Delta Steel Company.
Ovie of Udu kingdom further thanked the Minister for appointing son of the kingdom as Medical Director of the Center, urging the Minister for quick groundbreaking ceremony to the conducted at the donated land for the permanent site of the hospital.
Among the entourage of His Royal Merjesty are the Deputy National Chairman -APC South, Dr. Ben Nwoye, Chief Steve Sokoh, Chief Solomon Kpoma, Chief (Dr) Bernard Nafagha, Chief (Barr.) Moses Ucheve, Barr. Richard Kped, and Engr. Julius Kaite.
Ado Bako
Assistant Director Press
15/4/2026.
