BENIN CITY- Governor Adams Oshiomhole yesterday splashed the sum of N15million on some journalists and drivers who are still facing different health challenges following the accident involving his convoy along the Auchi-Afuze –Warrake road, in Edo state on the 28th of April, 2012, which led to the death of three journalists.
Apart from the money given to them, the governor who expressed shock with the condition of the victims, directed the state Ministry of Heath to immediately evaluate the condition of the victims, asserting that “if it is something doctors cannot handle here in the Nigeria, we can fly them abroad for proper treatment because I believe you people can still walk properly”.
Four of the victims have challenges with their legs while three others are facing different challenges. The governor made this declaration when the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in the state led by its chairman, Comrade Roland Osakue, led the victims to the governor.
It would be recalled that the victims were admitted at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) at the expense of the state government. But it was discovered that some of the victims have serious challenges in their legs apparently due to improper treatment.
Oshiomhole who personally assessed the victims, angrily declared that “from what I have seen, UBTH did not do a good job. Why will they discharge them when they are not yet okay? I thought these my friends are okay and walking all these years but never knew that they are still suffering. If the hospital knows they don’t have good orthopaedic doctors I think the best thing would have been to inform us so we can look for alternative.
“But discharging when you know they still have problems was very very bad. And the challenge with this now is that the wounds would have worsened. But we will keep faith alive, thank God we are still alive today, I believe your people can still walk well. We will examine the state of the wounds and if it is something we cannot take care of here in Nigeria, we will take you abroad for treatment”.
Expressing his joy, Comrade Osakue commended the governor for his gesture and prayed God to continue to bless him and his family.” This gesture has given our colleagues hope again, that at least they can still walk like others”, Osakue stated.
Gov. Oshiomhole
