The Executive Chairman of Oshimili North Local Government Area, Olorogun Hon. Chief Innocent Esewezie, has been honoured with an Award of Excellence by the Delta State Contributory Health Commission for his commitment to expanding healthcare access and promoting health insurance coverage among residents.
The award was presented on Tuesday by the Director-General of the Delta State Contributory Health Commission, Hon. Dr. Isaac Akpoveta, during the commissioning of the ultra-modern Sheriff Oborevwori Cottage Hospital in Okpanam.
The hospital is a major healthcare project executed by the Oshimili North Local Government Council under the leadership of Chief Esewezie.
The recognition followed the successful registration of hundreds of residents into the Delta State Contributory Health Insurance Scheme through the intervention of the council administration.
Presenting the award, Dr. Akpoveta commended Chief Esewezie for demonstrating what he described as visionary leadership in healthcare, noting that the administration had combined the provision of modern medical infrastructure with efforts to ensure residents could access healthcare without being overwhelmed by medical costs.
According to him, the Oshimili North model demonstrates how local government administrations can deploy available resources to projects that have a direct impact on the welfare of citizens.
He urged other local government chairmen across Delta State and Nigeria to emulate the initiative, particularly by encouraging greater participation in contributory health insurance schemes as part of efforts to achieve Universal Health Coverage.
“Healthcare goes beyond building hospitals; it also involves ensuring that people can access medical services without financial hardship. This is exactly what Chief Esewezie has achieved,” Dr. Akpoveta stated.
The presentation of the award attracted applause from dignitaries, government officials, traditional rulers, healthcare professionals, community leaders and residents who attended the commissioning ceremony.
The newly commissioned Sheriff Oborevwori Cottage Hospital has been described as a major addition to healthcare infrastructure in Oshimili North, with modern medical equipment intended to improve healthcare delivery to residents of Okpanam and neighbouring communities.
Speaking on the significance of the project, APC chieftain, Chief Kizito Ijeh, commended Chief Esewezie for what he described as the prudent management of public resources.
He said the successful completion of the hospital demonstrated how available resources could be translated into visible, people-oriented development projects.
The occasion also witnessed the launch of a six-day free medical and surgical outreach programme organised by the Oshimili North Local Government Council.
The outreach is providing residents with free medical consultations, treatment, medications and surgical procedures, with particular attention to vulnerable and low-income residents.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oshimili North, Mr. Austin Nnabuife, popularly known as Ojegbue, described the combination of the new healthcare facility, free medical outreach and expanded health insurance coverage as a significant milestone in grassroots healthcare development.
He said the initiatives reflected the administration’s commitment to improving the wellbeing of residents and making quality healthcare more accessible.
For Chief Esewezie, the Award of Excellence represents recognition of an approach to healthcare that combines infrastructure development, medical intervention and health insurance protection.
The event therefore marked another milestone in Oshimili North Local Government’s efforts to strengthen healthcare delivery, expand access to medical services and improve the quality of life of residents.
