The outgoing Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Prof. Darlington Obaseki, has cautioned against unprepared candidates seeking to succeed him after his tenure expires in August 2025.

The CMD also challenged dons and other medical experts hoping to succeed him to at least have made modest contributions to the hospital?s growth and development to serve as a prerequisite for the plum job.

Obaseki made the remarks during a courtesy visit to him by the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Edo State Council led by Comrade Festus Alenkhe.

He noted that it?s not enough to come from a particular ethnic or professional group, insisting that unparalleled service to the hospital over the years must also be considered as a key criteria for the appointment.

Speaking on what should be looked out for while choosing the next CMD of the UBTH, Obaseki said people should be quick to ask about the aspirants? antecedents and their contributions to the hospital over the years.

He noted that competence, dedication, and commitment to work and the hospital should be the top consideration for anyone seeking the office of CMD of UBTH.

Obaseki added that whoever wants to take over from him should be someone who can build on his legacies and take the hospital to greater heights and not crumble it.

?We must ensure sustainability. That is where some of you have to come in. We are in a transition stage. I will be handing over on August 17. That?s my terminal date. So my prayer should be that, like you said, we are able to sustain this.

?For me, a lot of persons are going to come to meet you and start giving you materials to write against one thing or the other. Please do your homework.

?Those who have never invested in this hospital. You don?t even know whether they work here. There are many of them. Suddenly, you now hear that they work here. Some people will start asking, does this person work here? Please ask questions.?

?The MD of ITV, my cousin, Engr. Elvis Obaseki. I met him somewhere and he was asking me, ?This person works here??

?And a lot of them now want to be CMD. It is not about tribe but it is about who can keep this hospital going. The person who has been part and parcel of this vision of this process. That is my plea to you.

?Ask questions. What have you done in UBTH since the time you have been there, and now you want to be the head?

?Please, that is all I ask. Ask them questions. You have been in UBTH, you have been a professor in UBTH, you are a doctor in UBTH, and so, what have been your contributions in UBTH??

Earlier, the Chairman of NUJ, Comrade Festus Alenkhe, commended the CMD for using his eight-year tenure to reposition the hospital despite a few challenges.

Alenkhe also hailed Obaseki for the cordial relationship that has existed between the NUJ and the UBTH management, just as he called for sustenance. (The Nation)

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