Lucky Obukohwo, Reporting
The Catholic Archdiocese of Benin City has spotted out the lies in the senator representing the Edo North senatorial district, Senator Adams Oshiomhole’s comments, claiming that the state government owns and funds the College of Nursing Sciences located at St. Philomena Catholic Hospital in Benin City.
Speaking during a press conference held at the Archdiocesan Secretariat of Social Communications and Printing Press, the Director of Social Communications, Rev. Fr. Jude Orah said that St Philomena Hospital was founded in 1947 by
the Catholic Church and that the educational institution( St Philomena School of Nursing ) was also owned and funded by the Church and donations from good spirited Nigerians.
Recall that Senator Adams Oshiomhole, who represents Edo North in Senate on a live television said the St Philomena School of Nursing belongs to the Edo State Government.
“A Call for Truth in a Time of Misinformation
“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); 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 and owned and funded by Edo State Government hundred per cent.” 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 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: School of Midwifery and College of Nursing Sciences, are owned by the Catholic Archdiocese of Benin City; built, equipped and funded by the Archdiocese and kind donations from benefactors like Mr Peter Obi amongst many others.”
Continuing, he said, “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.”