Edo Residents Urge Okpebholo to Honor ₦2.5bn Paediatric Hospital Pledge

BY SNOW TV NEWS DESK
Residents of Edo State have called on Governor Monday Okpebholo to fulfill his ₦2.5 billion pledge to build a modern pediatric complex at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Benin City, more than a year after the commitment was announced.

The renewed appeal has drawn attention to the need for improved specialized healthcare services for children and the implementation of projects announced by the state government.

Governor Okpebholo made the pledge on August 26, 2025, following a request by UBTH Chief Medical Director, Professor Idia Ize-Iyamu, for government support towards establishing a modern pediatric center at the hospital.

When completed, the proposed facility is expected to expand access to specialized medical services for children in Edo State and neighboring communities, helping to address critical healthcare needs.

An Edo resident, Mrs Grace Amayo, has urged the governor to take concrete steps towards implementing the project, stressing the importance of sustained investment in children’s healthcare.

Amayo described the proposed complex as a significant investment in the health and future of children, noting that access to specialized treatment remains essential to improving healthcare delivery across the state.

She also praised UBTH management for restoring its Burns and Plastic Surgery Ward, describing the development as an example of the importance of maintaining and upgrading essential medical facilities.

Her appeal follows the petrol tanker explosion at Oluku Market along the Benin-Lagos Expressway, which left victims requiring medical attention at UBTH. The incident underscored the importance of adequately equipped hospitals capable of providing emergency care and specialized treatment to accident victims.

On October 16, 2026, Governor Okpebholo visited survivors of the explosion at UBTH alongside Senator Adams Oshiomhole and other government officials. During the visit, hospital management briefed the delegation on the patients’ conditions and progress in their recovery.

Amayo called on the governor to sustain his administration’s stated commitment to healthcare development by ensuring that the proposed pediatric complex moves beyond the announcement stage to actual construction and completion.

As residents continue to seek improvements in healthcare services, attention remains on the status of the ₦2.5 billion pledge and the steps being taken to translate it into a functioning medical facility.

SNOW TV NEWS EDITORIAL ASSESSMENT
The proposed pediatric complex represents an important opportunity to strengthen children’s healthcare in Edo State. While public commitments to medical infrastructure are significant, their impact ultimately depends on implementation, adequate funding, and timely completion.

The state government should provide residents with a clear update on the project’s status, including its funding arrangements, implementation timeline, and anticipated commencement of construction. Transparent communication would help the public understand the progress made and the steps that remain.

For families seeking specialized treatment for their children, a completed and properly equipped pediatric facility could make a meaningful difference in access to care. The priority now is to ensure that the ₦2.5 billion pledge progresses towards delivery, with measurable milestones and accountability to the people of Edo State.