Nigerian Archdiocese Refutes Senator’s Claim on Ownership of Church’s College of Nursing

He added, “St Philomena Catholic Hospital, and its educational institutions, namely: School of Midwifery and College of Nursing Sciences, are owned by the Catholic Archdiocese of Benin City; built, equipped and funded by the Archdiocese and kind donations from benefactors like Mr Peter Obi amongst many others.”

He warned that politicizing the mission and legacy of a Church institution not only distorts the truth but also undermines the Church’s longstanding contributions to the common good.

“This appears to be a case of political revisionism, which sacrifices facts for distortion. To suggest that a Church-owned facility is ‘government-owned’ and ‘government-funded’, simply to downplay a charitable act by a political opponent, is not only unethical but profoundly damaging,” Fr. Orah said.

He urged all citizens to “critically evaluate public statements and demand accountability for the information disseminated in the public domain.”

St. Philomena Catholic Hospital was founded in 1947 by Catholic missionaries as part of the Church’s apostolic mandate to heal, educate, and uphold the dignity of the human person, especially the poor and the vulnerable. 

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The hospital, Fr. Orah told journalists, “has served faithfully without discrimination based on religion, ethnicity, or political affiliation”

“Since its establishment, the institution has been sustained through the sacrificial giving of the Church, the labour of priests and religious sisters, the goodwill of donors, and modest service charges,” he said.

The Priest noted that the institution “does not enjoy any governmental subvention or state budgetary allocation as claimed by Senator Oshiomhole.”

Fr. Orah reminded journalists that the Catholic Church’s involvement in healthcare is a theological and moral obligation.

“The Church … gives aid to every human being who suffers, and strives to bring healing to the world not merely through words but by concrete acts of service. This is what St. Philomena Catholic Hospital represents: a living ministry of healing and love, not a political facility in a government ledger,” he said.

The Archdiocese has appealed to all political leaders in Nigeria, especially those who have previously served in government, to respect the truth and acknowledge the role of faith-based institutions in the West African country.

“I call on Nigerians of goodwill to stand always for the truth,” Fr. Orah said, and added, “St. Philomena has stood for over 75 years because of the faith of the people, the commitment of the Church, and the grace of God.”

He added, “We respectfully invite our political leaders, especially those who have once led this State, to respect this legacy.”

“If there had been support from the government, we would not only acknowledge it, we would celebrate it. But misinformation is not support, and false attribution is not partnership,” the Director of Communications of Benin City Archdiocese said. 

He also called on media organizations to fact-check every claim, especially those aired publicly, to prevent the spread of “misleading narratives that can harm the integrity of long-standing institutions.”

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Fr. Orah appealed for civic maturity and responsible public discourse, saying, “St. Philomena Catholic Hospital is a house of healing, a school of mercy, and a sanctuary of hope. It bears the name of a saint—a symbol of purity, sacrifice, and truth—and the legacy of selfless missionaries. Its ownership is not up for debate. Its mission is not for sale.”

“I call on Senator Oshiomhole to retract his erroneous statement and consult directly with the Archdiocese for accurate information in the future. Facts are sacred. And when truth is wounded, it must be healed like a patient in the very wards of St. Philomena,” the Nigerian Catholic Priest said.

Jude Atemanke is a Cameroonian journalist with a passion for Catholic Church communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of Buea in Cameroon. Currently, Jude serves as a journalist for ACI Africa.