…Replies to the allegations made by ADAMS OSHIOMHOLE.
He who speaks the truth gives honest evidence, but a false witness utters deceit. — Proverbs 12:17 (RSVCE).
The times we live in today call for moments of truth so that falsehood may not thrive. As Scripture reminds us, “You will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” (cf. John 8:32). It is in this spirit that we are gathered here today to address the public regarding the ownership and funding of the College of Nursing Sciences, located within the premises of St. Philomena Catholic Hospital, Benin City.
This clarification has become necessary in response to misleading statements made by His Excellency, Senator Adams Aliu Oshiomhole, CON, who was a former president of the Nigerian Labour Congress, former governor of Edo State, and former national chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC), and is also the current senator representing Edo North Senatorial District.
Clarifying ownership and funding of the College of Nursing
During a live broadcast on Arise News on July 26, 2025, Senator Oshiomhole unequivocally claimed that the College of Nursing Sciences was “built, equipped, owned, and funded by the Edo State Government one hundred percent.” This inaccurate claim, which must be corrected, followed Mr. Peter Obi’s recent visit on 7 July, 2025, to the St. Philomena Catholic Hospital located at the popular Dawson Road in Benin City, Edo State Capital, where he donated ₦15,000,000 (fifteen million naira only) for the development of the college to improve the learning environment.
It is imperative to state that the claim by Senator Oshiomhole that the college is “a government-owned facility” is entirely false and should be disregarded. St. Philomena Catholic Hospital and its educational institutions, namely the School of Midwifery and College of Nursing Sciences, are owned by the Catholic Archdiocese of Benin City and built, equipped, and funded by the Archdiocese and kind donations from benefactors like Mr. Peter Obi, amongst many others.
A legacy of service, not politics
St. Philomena Catholic Hospital was founded in 1947 by Catholic missionaries as part of the Church’s apostolic mandate to heal, educate, and uphold the dignity of the human person, especially the poor and the vulnerable. It has served faithfully without discrimination based on religion, ethnicity, or political affiliation. Since its establishment, the institution has been sustained through the sacrificial giving of the Church, the labour of priests and religious sisters, the goodwill of donors, and modest service charges. It does not enjoy any governmental subvention or state budgetary allocation as claimed by Senator Oshiomhole.
This appears to be a case of political revisionism that sacrifices facts for distortion. To suggest that a church-owned facility is ‘government-owned’ and ‘government-funded,’ simply to downplay a charitable act by a political opponent, is not only unethical but also profoundly damaging. I urge all citizens to critically evaluate public statements and demand accountability for the information disseminated in the public domain.
The church’s role in healthcare: A canonical reminder
The Catholic Church’s commitment to healthcare is not optional or circumstantial; it is a canonical, theological, and moral obligation. “The Church … gives aid to every human being who suffers and strives to bring healing to the world not merely through words but by concrete acts of service.”
Rev. Fr. Jude Orah is the Director of Social Communications and Press of the Catholic Archdiocese of Benin City, Edo State.
