Oyebanji Commissions 35-Bed Mother and Child Maternity Complex Built by Olanipekun.
....Oyebanji, Aiyedatiwa, Akande, Ooni hail Olanipekun at mother and child maternity complex commissioning.
Ekiti State Governor Mr Biodun Oyebanji on Tuesday commissioned a 35-Bed state-of-the-art Mother and Child Maternity Complex donated by a former President of Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), describing the gesture as a remarkable contribution to health care delivery in the state and to humanity.
The facility, built within the State Specialist Hospital, Ikere Ekiti, was officially donated to the state government is expected to significantly boost maternal and child healthcare delivery in the state and compliment efforts of the state government at improving access to quality healthcare service for residents.
Dignitaries at the commissioning included, Ekiti Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, former Governor of Ekiti State, Engr Segun Oni, former Osun State Governor, Chief Bisi Akande, former Ondo State Governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, members of the national assembly and state executive council among others.
Governor Oyebanji, who commended Chief Olanipekun for his unwavering commitment to the development of Ekiti State, noted that the donation reflects the senior lawyer’s deep love for his roots and passion for improving the quality of life of the people.
He added that the gesture is a shining example of selfless service and a philanthropic gesture that should inspire other well-meaning indigenes to contribute meaningfully to the overall development and progress of the state, maintaining that government alone cannot provide all the needed services to the people.
Describing the donation as a landmark intervention in the health sector capable of leaving a lasting legacy in maternal and child health care delivery, the Governor assured that his government would continue to provide enabling environment for partnerships that complement his government’s shared prosperity agenda.
“Baba Akande said success is only meaningful when it positively impacts others, I can’t agree less with that and on the strength of that, I stand here to represent Ekiti people to once again say thank you to Chief Wole Olanipekun for not forgetting us here, Kabiyesi Ogoga refers to you as an illustrious son of Ikere Ekiti, yes, but you belong to humanity because all over the state and the country, we have your footprint. My prayer is that the good Lord will continue to bless you sir, I am so grateful for partnership in developing this state.
“Let me rest on that to call on every other Ekiti indigenes whom God has blessed to listen to what Chief Olanipekun said in his remarks that we cannot develop Ekiti without coming home. Please let's come home, our people need help, God has blessed us so that we can help others”, the Governor asserted.
Also in his remarks, the Governor of Ondo State, Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa described the event as a celebration of extraordinary generosity by Chief Wole Olanipekun, noting that the gesture represents philanthropy at its best and a truly life-saving intervention for the people.
Governor Aiyedatiwa said the donation of the state-of-the-art facility reflects the kind of civic responsibility and private sector involvement Nigeria needs, stressing that national development would be faster and more impactful when individuals compliment government efforts in building critical infrastructure.
Also speaking at the event, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Dr Mohammed Ali Pate, commended the donor for his contribution to the development of mankind especially on the issue of women and children, who, according to him, remain at the core of every tribal society and the whole of mankind.
The Minister, who was represented by the Chief Medical Director of Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido Ekiti, also expressed the heartfelt appreciation of his Ministry as well as the Federal government led by President Bola Tinubu to Chief Wole Olanipekun for his extraordinary generosity which remind everyone of the powerful impact individuals and organizations can make when they choose to invest in the health and future of their communities.
He maintained that Chief Olanipekun remains a philanthropist of note who has criss-cross the Nigeria space endowing numerous scholarships, donated many educational and health facilities, as well as instituted empowerment and initiatives in his various acts of community development.
Speaking shortly after inaugurating the facility, a former Governor of Osun State, Chief Bisi Akande, said Chief Olanipekun belongs to the class of men whose greatness is measured by their titles, wealth and accomplishments as well as those whose greatness is measured by the lives they touch and the communities they uplift.
Akande described the former NBA President as a man who is deeply committed to the welfare of his people and community as a highest expression of patriotism which is a corollary of not only his brilliance as a lawyer but also the depth of his conviction about service for Nigerian progress, community development and human responsibility.
“That is why today's event is important, patriotism is not merely about political positions or public acclaim, it is about responsibility to humanity, It is about remembering where one comes from, It is about understanding that success becomes meaningful only when it improves the lives of others. Chief Olanipekun has demonstrated this repeatedly. He stated.
Also in his remarks, the Ooni of Ile Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi used the occasion to pray fervently for Chief Olanipekun for building an enduring legacy that will outlive his lifetime as he also described the facility as world class health facility capable of addressing the health needs of mothers and children in the society.
In his address, Chief Olanipekun expressed appreciation to Governor Oyebanji for creating an enabling environment that encourages private participation in governance and development of the state. He noted that he was motivated to contribute more meaningfully because of the governor’s inclusive leadership style and openness to partnership that advance the wellbeing of the people.
He explained that the decision to donate the state-of-the-art mother and child maternity complex to the state government was driven by the urgent need to reduce preventable maternal and child deaths and improve access to quality healthcare service, especially vulnerable mothers and newborns in the state.
