CATHOLIC ARCHDIOCESE OF BENIN CITY OFFICIAL RESPONSE TO FALSE CLAIMS BY SENATOR ADAMS OSHIOMHOLE

By Ndon-Eyo2 Reporter Ndon-Eyo II Etinan.

 


CATHOLIC ARCHDIOCESE OF BENIN CITY

OFFICIAL RESPONSE TO FALSE CLAIMS BY SENATOR ADAMS OSHIOMHOLE


CORRECTING THE RECORD: ST. PHILOMENA COLLEGE OF NURSING IS NOT OWNED OR FUNDED BY THE GOVERNMENT


Introduction


> “He who speaks the truth gives honest evidence, but a false witness utters deceit.” — Proverbs 12:17 (RSVCE)


Ladies and gentlemen of the press, distinguished guests, and fellow citizens, I warmly welcome you to this important press briefing. I am Rev. Fr. Jude Orah, Director of Social Communications for the Catholic Archdiocese of Benin City, Edo State.


We are gathered here today to address and categorically refute a false and misleading statement made by Senator Adams Oshiomhole during a national broadcast. The need for truth in public discourse has never been more urgent, and we feel compelled to respond with facts and clarity


Setting the Record Straight


On July 26, 2025, during a live appearance on Arise News, Senator Adams Oshiomhole claimed that the College of Nursing Sciences located at St. Philomena Catholic Hospital, Benin City, was “built, equipped, owned, and funded 100% by the Edo State Government.”


Let us state clearly and without ambiguity:


> This claim is FALSE. It is entirely inaccurate and must be retracted.

The College of Nursing Sciences and the School of Midwifery at St. Philomena Catholic Hospital are not government-owned. They are the sole property of the Catholic Archdiocese of Benin City — established, managed, and sustained through the Church’s efforts and the generosity of donors and benefactors.


One such benefactor is Mr. Peter Obi, whose ₦15 million donation on July 7, 2025, was made to improve learning infrastructure at the College. This charitable gesture does not diminish government efforts, but rather supplements what the Church has always done: serve the people faithfully, without political bias.

The Facts: What Senator Oshiomhole Got Wrong


1. Ownership:

The College of Nursing Sciences and St. Philomena Catholic Hospital are Church-owned institutions, under the stewardship of the Catholic Archdiocese of Benin City.

2. Funding:

These institutions receive no government funding, subvention, or budgetary allocation — past or present. They are maintained through:

Church resources

Donations from private individuals (such as Mr. Obi)

Modest service charges

Sacrificial contributions by priests, religious sisters, and the faithful.

3. Founding History:

The Hospital was founded in 1947 by Catholic missionaries — not the government — as part of the Church’s mandate to care for the sick and educate healthcare professionals.

4. No Political Affiliation:

The mission of the Church in healthcare is apostolic, not political. It serves people of all religions and political affiliations, with no discrimination.

A Dangerous Narrative: When Politics Rewrites the Truth

Senator Oshiomhole’s false attribution is not just incorrect — it is a politically motivated distortion that undermines the Church’s legacy. Suggesting that a long-standing Church-owned institution is government property, simply to diminish the charitable efforts of a political opponent, is both unethical and misleading.

Let us be clear:

> Charity is not politics.

Facts are not opinions.

Truth is not negotiable.


A Call to Integrity and Responsibility

We respectfully urge Senator Oshiomhole to:

Retract his false statement publicly

Verify facts directly from the Archdiocese before making public claims

Respect the Church’s legacy of over 75 years of service to the people of Edo State

We also call on media houses and journalists to:

Uphold fact-checking as a sacred responsibility

Resist the spread of disinformation that could damage institutions of faith and service


Conclusion

St. Philomena Catholic Hospital is not a political project. It is a sanctuary of healing, a school of compassion, and a testament to sacrificial service. Its College of Nursing Sciences is not government-built, not government-owned, and not government-funded.


We call on all Nigerians — especially our leaders — to rise above political rivalry and speak the truth. For when truth is wounded, it must be healed. Just like every patient cared for at St. Philomena.


Thank you, and may God bless the truth.

©Rev. Fr. Jude Orah

Director of Social Communications

Catholic Archdiocese of Benin City

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