In Benin City, Edo State, the Edo Integration Network (EIN) has demanded that Dr. Alfred Ogbemudia cease identifying himself as the Medical Director of the newly established National Orthopedic Hospital. The group claims that the purported letter of appointment as Medical Director in an acting capacity, which Ogbemudia is parading, expired on January 3rd, 2024.

Dr. Etiosa Edonmwonyi, the group's spokesman, stated that the letter was inferior to President Bola Tinubu's confirmation of Dr. Philip Ugbodaga as the substantive Medical Director of the Federal Health Institution. The Coalition of Edo Civil Society Community (CECSC) has also urged Edo's Senators and House of Representatives members in the National Assembly to swiftly address the leadership crisis in the newly established hospital.

The coalition's document was endorsed by several prominent figures, including Comrade (Mrs) Daisy Abiola Igaga, Rev. Olu Martins, Dr. Jude Obasanmi, Comrade Solomon Idiongbe, Comrade Emmanuel Ogbidi, and Marxist Kola Edokpayi. The group highlighted the establishment of three National Orthopaedic Hospitals in the twilight of the last administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, with one located in Benin City.

The group expressed concern over the issuance of double appointment letters to two different individuals to head the National Orthopaedic Hospitals in Benin, Jos, and Jalingo by the immediate past Minister and Minister of State. They emphasized the need for the Edo Caucus in the National Assembly to intervene and resolve the issue promptly to prevent the state from losing the institution to neighboring states.

The leadership crisis is reportedly a result of a disagreement between the immediate past Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, and the Minister of State for Health, Hon Joseph Ekumankama, in the days leading up to the handover by the last administration. The tussle seemed to have been resolved with President Tinubu's confirmation of Dr. Philip Ugbodaga as the Medical Director. Ugbodaga is a renowned Maxillofacial Surgeon and a former Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Edo State Branch, as well as a former Medical Director of the State Central Hospital in Benin City.

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