The Association of Nigeria Private Medical Practitioners (ANPMP) Edo Central Zone held her Annual General Meeting, Scientific Conference, and Award Night on the 16th April 2026 at the Gold Royal Event Centre Ebhoakhuala, Ekpoma.
It was a gathering of the who-is-who in the Edo State health ecosystem with top Government functionaries as well as Medical Practitioners made up of those in the private sector, Government Institutions, the Commander of the Army Base in Ekpoma Captain Ifeanyi Nwokeji, the Divisional Police Officer Ewu Police Station CSP Akanbi Ezekiel, Representatives of the Esan West Local Government Council, allied health professionals, Chiefs from the Royal Palaces of Ekpoma and Irrua kingdoms, Nurses, Medical Students, Nursing Students as well as members of the general public.
Delivering his welcome address, the Chief Convener of the event, Dr Andrew Oseghale Eigbedion, who is the Zonal Chairman of the ANPMP and immediate past 1st Vice Chairman Edo State ANPMP, expressed profound gratitude to all the participants for honoring his invitation.
He noted that the Private Medical Practitioners in the Edo Central Senatorial District are committed to rendering qualitative healthcare to the people of the region and sued for Government collaboration in giving Private Medical Practitioners all the needed support in ensuring that the people of the Zone and indeed all Edolites have access to standard and qualitative healthcare. He commended the Edo State Governor, His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo for the giant strides he is making in making Edo State a better place to live in. He canvassed for increased budgetary allocations to the Health Sector while advocating that all emphasis should not only be on Government Health Institutions in the allocation of resources especially as over 70% of healthcare consultations take place in the private sector. He thereafter declared the Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference open for consultative vibrancy.
The Chairman of the occasion, Hon Dr Richard Osaro Edosa, Chairman House Committee on Health in the Edo State House of Assembly, Deputy Chief Whip of the Edo State House of Assembly and member representing Oredo West Constituency expressed satisfaction with the quality of healthcare professionals who attended the Conference. He said that his Committee is working tirelessly to ensure increased Government allocations and resources to the Health Sector in Edo State through tactful advocacy and diplomacy. He noted that beyond seeking for improved Government spending in the Health Sector, the Edo State House of Assembly is also committed to enacting necessary Laws and policies that would sanitize the Health System in the state. He said that it was in furtherance to enhancing qualitative healthcare delivery in the state which coincides with the Theme of the Edo Central ANPMP 2026 AGM, that gave rise to the enactment of the Law setting up the Edo State Health Regulation and Monitoring Agency (EDOHERMA).
The Edo State Commissioner of Health, Dr Cyril Oshiomhole was represented at the event by Dr Alari Edosa of the Police Cottage Hospital Benin-City. The Commissioner of Health noted that Private Medical Practitioners face rising costs of medical consumables, regulatory demands, and the burden of patient expectations. He acknowledged the innovations of Private Medical Practitioners in adopting technology, their commitment to continuing Medical education, and their willingness to serve during public health emergencies. In his words, ‘these qualities define professionalism at its best’.
Delivering her Keynote address, Dr Adesuwa Urhoghide, Chief Executive Officer of the EDOHERMA commended the Edo Central ANPMP Zonal chapter under the leadership of Dr Andrew Eigbedion for putting up such an elite gathering of Health Professionals under one roof and in a sub-urban town. She said that the establishment of the EDOHERMA aims at addressing systemic gaps in healthcare delivery in Edo State through systemic regulation. She highlighted the role of the EDOHERMA as a central regulatory body that will ensure that healthcare services are not only available, but safe, standardized, and align with best practices. She emphasized that achieving sustainable qualitative healthcare requires strategic partnership with Private Medical Practitioners particularly through professional bodies such as the ANPMP.
The National President of the ANPMP, Dr Kay Adesola whose address was delivered by the Edo State ANPMP Chairman, Dr Godfrey Imuetinyan noted that the Edo Central ANPMP Chapter is one of the most vibrant Zonal chapters in the entire Federation. He called for greater collaboration between the Government at all levels and Private Medical Practitioners.
In his own remarks, Dr Godfrey Imuetinyan expressed dismay at the multiple taxation policies of the Government against Private Medical Practitioners. He noted that the recent establishment of the EDOHERMA is a welcome development in sanitizing the Health Sector in Edo State and sued for partnership between the Agency and the ANPMP. He decried a situation where non-state actors through their collaborators had exploited some of his members and hopes that such illegality will be a thing of the past with the establishment of the EDOHERMA.
The Chairman of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) Edo State Branch, Dr Eustace Oseghale congratulated the Edo Central ANPMP for their remarkable progress in advocacy for a better operating environment. He noted that the ANPMP has become one of the most vibrant affiliates under the Edo NMA since he assumed office a little less than 2 years ago, attributing this new development majorly to the vibrancy of the Edo Central ANPMP Chapter.
The Chief Medical Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, Prof Reuben Agbons Eifediyi who was represented by Dr Williams Akerele, the Edo Central NMA Coordinator, remarked that the Private Medical Practitioners are the main drivers of the Health Sector in Nigeria. He sued for greater collaboration with the ANPMP and the Teaching Hospital while emphasizing the need for prompt referral of complicated cases from the private Medical Practitioners.
Asso. Prof Wilson Ovienria delivered a Guest Lecture on Common Eye Conditions: Standing in the Gap. He emphasized the need for regular eye check ups for preventable blindness and the strengthening of Eye Health in Primary Healthcare. Dr Henrietta Ugbeni, Consultant Paediatrician & Neonatologist at ISTH also presented a Lecture on Closing the Golden Hour Gap: Scalable Neonatal Interventions for Private Practice Settings. She gave insights on how Private Medical Practitioners can help in reducing the poor Neonatal mortality rate in the region and Nigeria as a whole.
Other important dignitaries at the event included distinguished Members of the Edo Central ANPMP, several Members of the Medical and Dental Association of Nigeria (MDCAN) ISTH chapter led by Dr Joseph Okoeguale but represented by Dr Faustina Blackie, President of the Association of Resident Doctors ISTH Branch Dr Philip Irabor and the Secretary Dr Martins Nwosu, Clinical Heads of Department from ISTH, the Vice Chairman of the Esan West Local Government Council Hon Sunny Idenekpoma and his team, the Medical Officer of Health in Esan West Local Government Area Dr Ehis Aimua and his team, Nurses from the private Medical facilities in Edo Central Senatorial District and ISTH, Chiefs from the Royal Palaces of Ekpoma and Irrua kingdoms, Nursing Students of the St Mathew’s Royal College of Nursing Sciences Uromi, Staff members of the Mudiame University Irrua, Medical Students of the Ambrose Alli University Ekpoma led by their President Comrade David Ohiwerei, men and women of the 4th Estate and members of the general public.
One of the highlights of the ceremony was the Procession of Fellows of the ANPMP (FAGP), Nigeria Postgraduate Medical College, West African Postgraduate Medical College and Distinguished Medical Practitioners (DMP).
Awards were presented to deserving recipients by Dr Andrew Eigbedion. Notable recipients were;
Late Dr Prince Ehizojie Ojesebholo FWACS, FICS who bagged a post-humus Distinguished Service Award. Other Awardees were Dr Frank Odafen, FAGP, DMP; Dr Teddy Abdullahi Ikhuoriah FAGP; Dr Charles Uhioh FWACS, FICS; Dr Godfrey Imuetinyan FAGP, DMP; Dr Enaholo Festy Odimo Udegbe FAGP, Dr Festus Aisabokhale, and Dr Francis Ufuah.
The ceremonial cutting of the 2026 ANPMP AGM cake witnessed several groups taking turns to identify with the Edo Central ANPMP chapter.
A 500 Level Medical Student of the Ambrose Alli University named Abusax was the Master of Ceremony and he thrilled the gathering to a wonderful display with his Saxophone. There were also cultural displays and a host of other side attractions added colour and excitement to the event.
The 2026 AGM/Scientific Conference & Award Night came to a fitting close with the ANPMP Members, their Spouses, Ambrose Alli University Medical Students and others present taking to the dance floor with their sizzling dance steps.
The 2026 Edo Central ANPMP AGM, Scientific Conference and Award Night will go down in history as one of the biggest, exciting, power-packed and well attended gathering of Healthcare Professionals within Edo Central Zone and Edo State at large.
