Obaseki, ERA Unveil Project to Enhance Health Emergency Response in Edo

•Governor set to host Rema’s homecoming concert in Benin

•Says Edo Radisson Hotel Project ‘ll be trailblazer in tourism

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has partnered with Emergency Response Africa (ERA) to launch a technology-enabled Emergency Medical Services Project (EMS), an initiative to enhance emergency healthcare response and boost health insurance enrolment in the state.

The Funds for Innovation in Development (FID), a financing mechanism of the French Government, committed to battling poverty and inequality, is the key funder of the project.

The FID-EMS project spearheaded by the Edo state government is a response to Nigeria’s significant emergency healthcare crisis, where 54 per cent of the country’s deaths could be prevented with timely emergency medical response, resulting in over 1.23 million unnecessary fatalities.

The project aims to tackle challenges such as low public health trust, broken communication channels, and inefficient data collection, among many others, a statement from the Edo government said.

The primary focus of the project is to implement the programme in Oredo, Egor, and Ikpoba Okha Local Government Areas of Edo State while selected community members will be trained as first responders.

Edo State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Samuel Alli,  highlighted the state’s commitment to the project by providing counterpart funding and leading a committee of critical stakeholders across the State’s Ministries, Departments and Agencies.

Anne Thibault, Chief Impact Officer at the Fund for Innovation in Development in France, which provides funding for the pilot phase, conveyed her excitement about the potential impact of the innovation in the context of Nigeria.

On her part, Folake Owodunni, chief executive of ERA, said the project marks a pivotal moment in transforming emergency healthcare response in Nigeria.

Also, Obaseki has said the 169-room Edo Radisson Hotel Project, on completion, will be a trailblazer in tourism and hospitality business in the South-South region as well as the entire Country.

The 169-room Edo Radisson Hotel Project undertaken by the Edo State Government and the Radisson Hotel Group is poised to set new standards in luxury accommodation and hospitality services.

Speaking to journalists in Benin City, the Edo State capital, the governor said the facility scheduled to open within the next 12 months, marks a significant milestone in the government’s efforts to boost tourism and economic development in Edo State.

Obaseki, who spoke through the Secretary to the Edo State Government, Osarodion Ogie, said the hotel will be the first of its kind to be opened in the South-South region of the country.

The governor said: “Radisson Hotel Benin City promises to be a trailblazer in the hospitality business in the South-South zone in particular and the Country in general.”

The hotel’s array of Scandinavian-inspired accommodation will range from contemporary standard rooms to expansive executive suites, including a presidential suite.

Meanwhile, the festive season is set to reach new heights in Benin City, the Edo State capital as Obaseki unveils plans to host Edo-born musical prodigy, Divine Ikubor, popularly known as Rema, in a grand Homecoming Music Concert on December 21.

While speaking to youths at the Sir Victor Uwaifo Creative Hub, Benin City, Obaseki said: “By the grace of God, this Christmas, we will bring Rema home. Rema will have a Homecoming Concert.”

Confirming the governor’s directive to organise the Christmas gig, the Edo State Commissioner for Arts, Culture, and Tourism, Dr. Uyi Oduwa-Malaka, said the Homecoming Concert is scheduled to take place at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City, on December 21, 2023.

Johnny Drille, another Edo-born music sensation, recently hosted a show in the State, delivering a mesmerising performance at the Sir Victor Uwaifo Creative Hub, before paying a courtesy visit to the governor.