Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, on Wednesday, swore in Dr Emmanuel Ikwulono as the new Commissioner for Health and Human Services in the state.

Ikwulono replaces Dr Sunday Ongbabo, who resigned his appointment last week.

According to a statement on Wednesday by the state government, Ortom acknowledged the importance of the health ministry to healthcare delivery, especially amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, stressing that it cannot be left without a commissioner for too long.

The governor described Ikwulono as a good replacement for the outgone commissioner, noting that his appointment was based on merit and competence.

He also charged health practitioners in the state to give attention to other health challenges in the state aside the coronabvirus pandemic such as diabetes, hepatitis, malaria, typhoid among others.