Okpebholo Urges Diaspora Nurses to Support Edo Healthcare, Assures Improved Security
Korede Abdullah 
Governor Monday Okpebholo
BENIN CITY, Nigeria – Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has called on Nigerians in the diaspora, particularly healthcare professionals, to contribute to the development of the state’s health sector, assuring them that security continues to improve across Edo.
The governor gave the assurance on Friday while receiving members of the Nigerian American Nurses and Nursing Association (NANNNA), who are in the state to support healthcare interventions.
Okpebholo thanked the visiting nurses for returning home despite concerns over insecurity in parts of Nigeria, saying Edo remained safe for investment and humanitarian activities.
“Thank God you are here and can see the security situation for yourselves. Nigeria is safe, and we are working hard to make Edo even safer for business and development,” he said.
He assured the association of government support for future medical outreach programmes and encouraged members to liaise with the newly established Edo Diaspora Agency before subsequent visits.
“We can support you because you are investing your resources to improve the lives of our people,” the governor added.
Chairperson of the NANNNA Board, Grace Ogiehor-Enoma, said the association’s ‘Take Me to Your Village’ initiative was designed to strengthen struggling primary healthcare centres by encouraging members to adopt facilities in their hometowns.
“If the primary healthcare centre in your village is deteriorating, you should help rebuild it. That is the idea behind ‘Take Me to Your Village’,” she explained.
Ogiehor-Enoma also expressed satisfaction with the security situation in Edo, saying her experience during the visit had challenged negative perceptions about safety in the state.
“I feel safe being in Edo. This visit has changed my perspective,” she said.
The visit forms part of ongoing efforts to strengthen collaboration between diaspora health professionals and state governments in improving healthcare delivery at the grassroots.
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