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Edo partners NIFOR on capacity building

By Alemma-Ozioruva Aliu, Benin City
01 August 2017   |   3:37 am
The governor made this disclosure in Benin City when he received the management of the institute, which paid him a courtesy visit at Government House.

Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research (NIFOR)

Inaugurates committee on health insurance scheme

Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki has said his administration would partner with the Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research (NIFOR) to boost palm production in the state.

The governor made this disclosure in Benin City when he received the management of the institute, which paid him a courtesy visit at Government House.

He commended the institute for its commitment and support in ensuring that palm crops production receives a boost, noting that the institute has transformed the agriculture sector in the state and beyond.

“We want oil palm to be our own crude oil and, therefore, we will partner and work closely with you,” he said. Obaseki added that the state would sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the institute to harness its expertise and leverage on its location despite its status as a federal government agency.

Speaking, the Acting Executive Director of NIFOR, Napoleon Aisueni, said the institute would carry out its mandate of ensuring adequate research in the production of oil, coconut, raffia and rate palms and sustain its status as an international center of excellence in crop production, processing and improved technological know-how.

Meanwhile, Obaseki has inaugurated a committee to design the Edo Health Insurance Scheme (EHIS) that would be the pride of Edo people.

Members of the committee, who were drawn from several segments of the society and is headed by Professor Danesi Mustapha, a consultant for the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Obaseki said the inauguration of the committee was crucial to the desired reform in the state health sector, adding that one of the critical elements of his administration was to ensure universal coverage of the scheme.

“As an administration, we are determined to establish our own health insurance scheme because of its benefits. We hope that the health mechanism we will put in place will address the healthcare challenges of our people.

“They must be encouraged to invest more in the system as it will raise the standard of healthcare in the state,” Obaseki said.

Responding, Mustapha thanked the governor for the opportunity to serve and assured that the committee members would do their best to deliver the assigned task to the best of their abilities.

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