UBTH CMD To Hold Valedictory Lecture At Public Field, Denied Use Of UNIBEN Auditorium
…As Aiguobasinmwin Movement seeks best applicant to succeed Obaseki
By Simeon OSAJIE
Following concern over the outgoing Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Prof. Darlington Obaseki’s inability to secure a cozy environment for his last official outing, investigation revealed that he was denied the use of the University of Benin (UNIBEN) main Auditorium, which has been the traditional venue for hosting of such events by former CMDs of the sister tertiary institution.
The valedictory lecture scheduled for August 15th at the field in the hospital along the Ugbowo-Lagos road is the first time a CMD would be restricted to using a decrepit public field for an event of this magnitude.
Sources disclosed that the outgoing CMD has lost touch with the Benin nation and medical professionals in and outside the hospital owing to his obnoxious leadership.
The sad development has forced the embattled CMD to hold his valedictory session after 8 years in office in the lawn tennis court at the hospital’s open field to avert any embarrassing moment from the sister institution on the planned event.
The tenure of the CMD ends on August 17th. However, some stakeholders cautioned about his desperation to install a successor, insisting that the move to ensure his cronies succeed him must be rejected.
Among the stakeholders clamouring for only the best and most qualified applicant to succeed the CMD is a Benin based socio-cultural group, Aiguobasinmwin Movement.
The Aiguobasinmwin Movement committed to promoting an egalitarian society and Benin nation recently dragged another group, Benin Youth Council (BYC) describing it as an affiliate of the outgoing Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Professor Darlington Obaseki.
In its reaction to an advertorial placed in a national newspaper by the BYC, the Aiguobasinmwin Movement led by Iyamu Osaro Culture (President) and Mr. Osayuki Osa-Benson (Secretary General) described the publication as “a brazen appeal by the emergency Benin Youth Council (BYC), an affiliate of Professor Darlington Obaseki, seemingly aimed at perpetuating his tenure through proxy by orchestrating a narrative that disparages applicants for the UBTH CMD position.”
Going further, the Movement stated: “If the emergency Benin Youth Council (BYC) group were genuinely interested in Edo State’s well-being and familiar with Professor Obaseki’s track record as UBTH CMD, an emergency meeting would be unnecessary.
“Instead, his exposed flaws suggest he sought out a pliable group to do his bidding. The emergency Benin Youth Council actions appear motivated by opportunism rather than genuine concern.
“Therefore, we the AIGUOBASINMWIN MOVEMENT wishes to pose several questions to gauge their sincerity which are as follows: “Where was the emergency Benin Youth Council (BYC) when Professor Darlington Obaseki undermined the Benin Palace and joined his Elder Brother, Godwin Obaseki to disrespect our highly revered Benin Palace; where were the emergency Benin Youth Council (BYC) when Professor Darlington Obaseki converted UBTH to his personal enterprise; where were the emergency Benin Youth Council (BYC) when Professor Darlington Obaseki neglected to employ and empower local talents/brains; where were the emergency Benin Youth Council (BYC) when medical charges skyrocketed under the watch of Professor Darlington Obaseki; where were the emergency Benin Youth Council (BYC) when funds meant for UBTH were diverted and misappropriated under the watch of Professor Darlington Obaseki and additionally, does being an applicant under a predecessor guarantee for appointment as a successor?”
The Movement challenged BYC to “provide evidence to support their claims,” adding “to set the record straight, there are capable Benin sons and daughters who could excel in UBTH’s leadership. Therefore, we stand against unprofessional conduct and demand leadership that respects the Benin Kingdom.”
