Date Published: 08/01/09
EKITI GOVT. BEGINS CONSTRUCTION OF N1.5 BILLION GENERAL HOSPITAL IN ADO
By Lere Olayinka
Ekiti State Governor, Engr. Segun Oni has laid the foundation of a new N1.5 billion General Hospital in Ado Ekiti, the State capital with a promise that one of the best Surgical Theatres in the world would soon be commissioned at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH), Ado Ekiti to make the institution a front runner in health care delivery in the country.
A media aide to the governor, Mr. Lere Olayinka said in a statement made available to journalists that Governor Oni, while performing the foundation laying ceremony said his administration was committed to bringing qualitative health-care delivery to the doorsteps of the citizenry especially in the State capital where population has increased tremendously.
Governor Oni, who noted that his administration was embarking on aggressive pursuance of a world-class health-care delivery for the people of the State, said his administration had committed a huge amount into the renovation of health care institutions across the State.
He explained that his government’s desire for the provision of world-standard health-care services to Ekiti people also informed the upgrading of the State Specialist Hospital, Ado Ekiti to a teaching hospital.
His words: “Today, we are recording another milestone in our determination to give the best to our people in term of health-care delivery.
“A year ago, we upgraded the State Specialist Hospital, Ado Ekiti to a teaching hospital. We are not just building a Teaching Hospital, but we are building a hospital that would rank among the best in the world.
“The new General Hospital, foundation of which we are laying here today will also be equipped with the best in term of facilities so that our people could afford health care easily and cheaply.”
While commending the Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adejugbe for his commitment to the development of the State, Governor Oni announced that the new General Hospital would be named after the monarch as a form of encouragement for his patriotism.
He stressed that his government would always accord the basic needs of the people the utmost priority to ensure the entire State is overhauled before the expiration of his tenure.
Earlier, Oba Adejuyigbe had commended the governor for having the love of the people at heart.
The monarch, who described the governor as a God’s special gift to the State promised the continuous support of the Ado Community to the Oni-led administration.
“Eighteen years ago, there was an attempt to upgrade Ado General Hospital to a Federal Medical Centre, which was aborted due to the location of the medical centre to Ido Ekiti. Eleven years after much politicking that earlier thwarted efforts at turning the same institution to a Teaching Hospital, Oni administration came on board and successfully turned the institution to a world-class University Teaching Hospital.
“Oni is a special gift from God to this generation,” Ewi said.
Also speaking at the event, Chairman of the State Hospital Management Board, Dr. Sola Babalola applauded the Oni administration for the initiative, describing the gesture as boost to health care delivery in the state.
