The outgoing Chief Medical Director of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Dr. Darlington Obaseki, was celebrated on Friday at a valedictory ceremony and book launch held on the hospital premises.
The event drew tributes from colleagues, government officials, and healthcare leaders, highlighting Obaseki’s transformative leadership and dedication to healthcare advancement.
Former Edo State Deputy Governor and current Director-General of the National Institute of Sports, Philip Shaibu, praised Obaseki’s contributions to both the hospital and the state. He recalled Obaseki’s critical role in enabling Edo State to successfully host the National Sports Festival during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“When people doubted our ability to host the festival because of COVID-19, Dr. Obaseki developed a health plan that made it possible,” Shaibu said. “I’m proud of your work—especially the ‘Immunisation Under One Roof’ initiative, which became a national policy.”
Shaibu also commended Obaseki’s passion for hospital infrastructure and staff development, urging him to continue contributing to the healthcare sector even after stepping down.
Dr. Imafidon Agbonile, Chief Medical Director of the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, lauded Obaseki’s visionary leadership, saying UBTH flourished under his stewardship.
“You inherited a legacy and expanded it with vision and discipline,” Agbonile said. “From expanding bed capacity and launching specialist programs to integrating digital health solutions, your impact reached beyond Nigeria to the West African subregion.”
He also highlighted the commissioning of a modern Oncology Centre, describing it as a milestone in cancer care and diagnostics.
Similarly, Dr. Philip Ugbodaga, CMD of the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Benin City, praised Obaseki’s commitment to UBTH’s mission and human capital development.
In his farewell remarks, Dr. Obaseki expressed gratitude to the hospital’s board, staff, and management team for their support during his tenure. He called on them to extend the same cooperation to the new CMD, Dr. Idia Ize-Iyamu.
“To the hospital management committee, your partnership was instrumental. The values that guided our reforms—excellence, accountability, service, and learning—will continue to shape UBTH’s future,” he said.
