The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Social Development and Gender Issues, Mrs. Barbara Osobajo has reassured residents of Edo State of the State’s Government commitment to treating and rehabilitating mentally-ill persons across the State so as to guarantee a healthy and sane society for all.
Mrs. Osobajo gave this assurance while playing host to the members of the Edo State Akugbe Traditional Lunatics Healers Association who were on a courtesy visit to the Ministry in Benin.
She charged the healers on the need to improve their service delivery, assuring them of Governor Godwin Obaseki led administration’s commitment to ensuring that all Edo citizens live their lives with full potential. In addition, the Permanent Secretary noted that effort has been made in training and retraining of caregivers through the rendering of special assistance to the healers to encourage them in the course of their service.
In her words, ‘’It is a service for humanity, just as the government is equally called to serve the people.’’
Mrs Osobajo further stated that it is necessary for the healers to always supply the Ministry with relevant information and data containing the number of inmates for proper planning, just as she described lunatic condition as an unfortunate situation.
Earlier, the leader of the delegation and Vice Chairman of the Association, Mr. Jude Omon Oleabhiele who represented the Chairman commended Edo State Government for recognizing their efforts. He also seized the opportunity to brief the Permanent Secretary on some of the challenges the healers faced in caring for mentally-ill persons, stressing the need for additional manpower and more assistance from the government.
