TheCable

Esan Descendants Assembly (EDA) has kicked against the outcome of the selection process for a new chief medical director (CMD) of Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, Edo state. 

The group, in a statement, rejected the shortlisting of candidates for the position of CMD of the hospital.

The statement was signed by Oyaziwo Aluede and Ayo Binite, the group’s president and secretary, respectively.

The group said the position of the CMD of the institution is very important to the Esan people because they are the custodians of the hospital.

BACKGROUND 

Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital is a federal government facility located at Irrua, Esan-central LGA.

Recently, the federal government constituted a nine-member team to screen and conduct tests for five shortlisted candidates for the position of CMD of the institution.

The move was initiated following the expiration of the tenure of Sylvanus Okogbenin, the outgoing CMD.

It was learnt that Mojeed Momoh, an Edo north indigene, was reportedly adjudged as the best candidate for the position among the five shortlisted. 

Momoh was the only candidate who hails from Edo north while the four other candidates hail from Edo central.

The development angered some groups in Edo central district, who believe that the teaching hospital should not be headed by someone outside the district.

EDO NORTH GROUP REACTS

Reacting to the comment of the group, Edo North League said it is sad that ethnic sentiment is being played up at the expense of merit.

Desmond Iyokpa, the president of the group, in a statement, said the best candidate came out top during the selection process.

“That process should be respected, no ethnic group has a monopoly of wisdom and competence,” he said.

“Thank God, they are not challenging the qualifications and administrative skills of the person in question who has the acumen to further turn around the teaching hospital for the better. 

“Siting the hospital in Esan land is not a license that all CMDs must be indigenes.”