By Nekpen Maureen Nwine
The Edo State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Prince Kassim Afegbua, has commended the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) for establishing a dedicated Media Unit, describing it as a vital priority for any significant corporate institution in the modern era.
Speaking at the commissioning, Prince Afegbua noted that many people overlook the importance of a professional in-house media office, often relying solely on social media. He hailed the initiative as noble and novel, crediting the visionary leadership behind it, while emphasising that authorised information from such a unit, bearing official signatures, delivers credibility and reliability in a world where narratives can change in seconds. This, he opined, contrasts with unverified social media content, helping to sharpen UBTH’s corporate image as a leading healthcare provider that heals and unites communities, particularly through the nurturing roles of nurses and doctors, many of whom are mothers.
Prince Afegbua urged proper management of the Media Unit through rigorous training for staff in medical reporting and professional media practices, warning that without qualified professionals, the office could face challenges.
He affirmed the Ministry’s readiness to partner with UBTH’s media team, directing relevant directors to facilitate collaboration.
Rejecting unwarranted divides between federal and state entities, the Honourable Commissioner advocated for a unified focus on quality service delivery, patient-centred attention, and an open-door policy in the workplace, which, according to him, encourages staff to share information freely, as it could save lives or inspire positive change.
In her address, the Chief Medical Director, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Professor (Mrs.) Idia Enibokun Ize-Iyamu, described the Media room as a strategic hub for accurate, timely, and coordinated information dissemination, stating that the facility will serve as a platform for institutional storytelling, health education, public engagement, and documentation of UBTH’s milestones. She also explained that the Media Office is more than a workspace, but a central strategic asset for advancing UBTH’s mission, vision, and values, urging all staff and departments to actively engage with it to amplify the hospital’s voice, celebrate achievements, and enhance service to humanity.
The CMD further emphasised that the office will enable the hospital to speak with a consistent and credible voice, strengthen internal cohesion, manage public perception, and respond effectively to emerging issues. She expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his visionary leadership in repositioning Nigeria’s healthcare sector, the Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, for his commitment to improving healthcare and public service delivery, and Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Prince Kassim Afegbua, for his support in promoting transparency and effective communication.
Highpoint of the event was the official commissioning and inspection of the Media office by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy Prince Kassim Afegbua.
Present at the event were the Director of Information, Ministry of Information and Strategy, Mrs Nekpen Maureen Nwine, Management and staff of UBTH, as well as the Media team of the Institution.