State News.

 GOV AKEREDOLU Commissions 50-BEDDED MULTI-SPECIALIST HOSPITAL AND DIAGNOSTICS CENTER IN AKURE.

***Governor thankful that Indigenes are coming home to join government in Developing the state.

Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, CON, represented by his Deputy, Hon Lucky Aiyedatiwa commissioned a 50-Bedded Deborah Multi-Specialist Hospital and Diagnostics Center at Owode, Oba-Ile, along Akure-Owo Expressway, Akure on Saturday.

Aiyedatiwa was accompanied to the event by Majority leader, Ondo State House of Assembly, Hon Oluwole Ogunmolasuyi, Chief of Staff to Governor, Chief Olugbenga Ale, Head of Service, Pastor Kayode Ogundele, Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Sir Charles Titiloye, Commissioner of Culture and Tourism, Hon Wale Akinlosotu, Commissioner in the Local Government Service Commission, Hon Alonge-Niyi Dennis and Special Assistant to Governor on New Media, Ladi Okunniga.

Speaking at the highly impressive event, Aiyedatiwa said the commissioning of the 50-Bedded Multi-Specialist Hospital was a pointer to the fact that stakeholders in Ondo State project are listening to the call of Governor Akeredolu's all-inclusive participation in the development of the sunshine state.

"In putting together such a magnificent edifice and for investing their resources in the health sector of the State, I believe that, it is an expression of confidence and appreciation of our commitment and sacrifices for improving the health of our people in the State" , he declared.

"Let me therefore appreciate and congratulate the owners of this health facility, Prince Rotimi Benjamin Ibidapo, OON and his wife, Chief ( Mrs ) Remilekun Mulikat Ibidapo for putting together such a magnificent edifice and for investing their resources in the health sector of the State" .

"This is in addition to your investment in the hospitality industry in Mydas Hotels and Resorts in Owo" , he said.

The Deputy Governor went on to say that, a healthy population would be a productive population.

"In this regard, we have taken bold steps across all the building blocks of the health system through the provision of functional health infrastructures, strengthening of Institutions for training of highly skilled professionals/practitioners and support staff, provision of conducive working environment and construction of world class facilities for promotion of qualitative healthcare services" .

"Specific examples are the ongoing projects in the University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital complexes at Ondo and Akure, the Mother-and-Child Hospital in Akure which has been upgraded and given approval to offer full range of secondary health care services" , he said.

Aiyedatiwa also added that, Governor Akeredolu-led administration has equally employed health workers to bridge  human resources gap at primary, secondary and tertiary levels in the State.

He disclosed that, Ondo State University of Medical Sciences was about graduating it's first set of 34 doctors in  record time of six years.

Aiyedatiwa added that, the health Institutions in the State would help to further the vision of Mr Governor in upgrading the health sector for optimal performance.

"Not resting on our laurels, we are in the process of establishing a new School of Health Technology in the Southern Senatorial District with intention of further addressing manpower challenge at the primary healthcare level" , he disclosed.

Earlier, the Chairman and the founder of Deborah Multi-Specialist Hospital and Diagnostics Center, Prince Rotimi Benjamin Ibidapo, OON, and his wife, Chief ( Mrs ) Remilekun Ibidapo disclosed that, the  project was a wake-up call to well meaning indigenes of the State to come home and contribute to the development of the State in the area of the health sector.

"The concept of the health facility genuinely started with my curiosity and passion for my profession as an American trained practicing nurse in New Jersey, in United States" , declared Mrs Ibidapo who was 6O today.

"The urge to bring the level of care experienced abroad closer to my people touches my heart...my desire is to make an effective contribution to our healthcare system on the basis of giving back to my community and Ondo State" , she said.

Paying tributes to her mother who greatly influenced her while growing up, Mrs Ibidapo said, "I honour my mother, Mama Deborah Ajanaku Makun who's still blessed to be alive today sitting amongst us, I honour my mother today by naming this hospital after her".

Other dignitaries at the well attended event are Chairman of the event, Prof Abdulsalami Nasida represented by Prof Simidele Odimayo, Former Deputy Governor of Osun State, H.E. Titi Laoye Ponle and her husband, Egnr Ponle, Olowo of Owo, Oba Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye, Osemawe of Ondo, Oba Victor Kiladejo and other Traditional Rulers, Ambassador Roland Omowa, Barrister Morayo Lebi and others.

Kenneth Odusola-Stevenson,

Press Secretary to Governor, Office of Deputy Governor.