The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, has pledged to make some landed property available free of charge to the government or non-governmental organisations willing to invest in upgrading healthcare delivery in Ibadan and its environs.
Oba Ladoja made the pledge when the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, and the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, paid him a courtesy visit at the Olubadan Palace, Oke-Aremo, Ibadan.
The ministers were in Ibadan to commission modern medical diagnostic and other healthcare facilities at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan.
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Olubadan, who is also the Chairman of the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs, commended the healthcare intervention of the administration of President Bola Tinubu, stressing that the initiative would help restore the lost glory of the nation’s healthcare system.
He recalled the past achievements of UCH, Ibadan, saying the hospital had abundant human resources but lacked the modern medical equipment required to operate at a world-class standard.
Oba Ladoja said the provision of modern medical equipment and facilities would reduce medical tourism among Nigerians and discourage the migration of highly skilled doctors and other medical professionals.
The Monarch challenged the management of UCH, led by Prof. Jesse Otegbayo, to work towards restoring the hospital to its former glory, recalling that the institution was once regarded as one of the five best teaching hospitals in the British Commonwealth.
He disclosed that before the arrival of the two ministers, he and members of the Olubadan Advisory Council had received officials from the Ministry of Power, who informed them about plans to flag off a 17.7-megawatt electricity grid project expected to benefit five communities in Oyo State, including Ibadan.
Oba Ladoja said he had encouraged the officials to bring more development projects to the state, as the Olubadan-in-Council was ready to provide land where necessary.
The Monarch noted that he would take advantage of his access to the ministers to draw their attention to areas requiring government intervention whenever necessary.
Earlier, Oyedele explained that the ministers were in Ibadan to commission Phase One of the Advanced Medical Services under the Medserve Expansion Programme being implemented through the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA).
He disclosed that the first facility under the programme had been commissioned in Bauchi earlier, while the second commissioning had brought the delegation to Ibadan.
For his part, Prof. Pate said Phase One of the medical expansion programme comprises 10 modern medical diagnostic centres, two oncology centres and two catheterisation laboratories distributed across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
He stressed that the initiative was aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s healthcare infrastructure and improving access to advanced medical services, noting that the government remained committed to improving healthcare infrastructure and services.
The visit was attended by senior traditional rulers and officials, including the Otun Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba Kolawole Adegbola; Osi Olubadan, Oba Abiodun Kola-Daisi; and Osi Balogun, Oba Dauda Azeez.
Others are the Asipa Olubadan, Oba Salawudeen Ajibade; Aare Egbe Omo of Ibadanland, Chief Abiola Iyiola; and the UCH Medical Director, Professor Abiodun Otegbayo.
Victoria Ibanga
