By Sunday Apah
Deaconess Tobore Oborevwori, First Lady of Delta State, on Tuesday, officially opened the newly completed Tobore Oborevwori Cottage Hospital in Ughelli North Local Government Area.
She described the facility as a “symbol of hope, healing, and compassion” for the local community.
The inauguration ceremony, held on December 2, 2025, marked a significant achievement in the ongoing efforts to improve healthcare services in the area, led by Local Government Chairman Olorogun Jaro Egbo. Chairman Egbo noted that the hospital is part of a broader initiative to provide accessible, affordable, and dependable medical care to residents of Ughelli North.
In a heartfelt address, the First Lady expressed sincere appreciation to the local government for naming the hospital in her honour, emphasizing that the recognition reflects appreciation for her efforts toward the wellbeing of the people of Delta State.
“It warms my heart to see my small contributions being acknowledged and valued. It feels truly special to be home,” she remarked.
She praised Chairman Egbo and his team for their dedication to overcoming challenges in providing quality healthcare services, highlighting how the project aligns with Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s commitment to development centered on people’s needs.
Deaconess Oborevwori also commended her husband’s reforms in the state health sector, noting recent achievements such as the reduction of dialysis fees from ₦75,000 to ₦40,000, the introduction of new dialysis and CT scan machines in government hospitals, and the ongoing refurbishment of 150 Primary Healthcare Centres across the state’s 25 Local Government Areas.
“God will continue to support the governor in achieving even greater milestones. His efforts are evident,” she affirmed.
Sharing details of her humanitarian initiatives, the First Lady revealed that her You Mata Charity Foundation recently organized a free medical outreach targeting children with special needs in Ughelli. The event provided medical treatments, wheelchairs, and assistive devices.
She recalled a touching moment during the outreach when over ₦8.1 million was spontaneously raised to support a mother of triplets, describing it as “a testament to God’s blessings.”
She further pledged to extend similar outreach programs to the regions of Delta North and Delta South.
In his remarks, Hon. Jaro Egbo, Chairman of Ughelli North Local Government Council, explained that the establishment of the cottage hospital stems from his administration’s strategic plan to reinforce local healthcare infrastructure.
“Healthcare must be accessible to all, not just a select few,” he stated.
Egbo expressed gratitude to Governor Oborevwori for creating a conducive environment for progress and acknowledged that the “Renewed Hope For MORE” agenda has underpinned many projects, including this hospital.
He also thanked the First Lady for inaugurating the facility, describing her as a compassionate figure whose dedication continues to inspire residents of Ughelli North.
Egbo appealed to the community to safeguard the hospital against vandalism, emphasizing that its long-term success relies on collective ownership and support.
Chief Miller Uloho, chair of the Ughelli North Local Government Advisory Committee and chairman of the event, praised Governor Oborevwori for his outstanding leadership, citing the governor’s effective resolution of longstanding land acquisition disputes in Osubi, which threatened the airport project.
He called the governor “a naturally gifted leader,” noting that he was honored with a seat on the inaugural flight that launched operations at Osubi Airport.
Uloho also commended Chairman Egbo’s performance, encouraging the continuation of development efforts, and appealed to the First Lady to ensure the cottage hospital remains well-maintained, adequately funded, and fully operational.
Dr. Tega Ighovo, Executive Secretary of the Ughelli North Primary Healthcare Development Agency, confirmed that the hospital is outfitted with state-of-the-art equipment, including an ambulance and diagnostic tools, positioning it as a referral center for primary healthcare clinics throughout the Local Government Area.
