The Federal Government has commended former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), for his sustained investments in education, healthcare and community development.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Dr Ali Pate, gave the commendation on Tuesday in Ikere-Ekiti during the inauguration of the NewCruse Mother and Child Maternity Complex, built and donated by Olanipekun to the State Specialist Hospital, Ikere-Ekiti.
Pate, who was represented by the Chief Medical Director of the Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido-Ekiti, Prof Kolawole Ogundipe, said the facility would help reduce maternal and child mortality in the state.
He urged other wealthy Nigerians and organisations to emulate Olanipekun in supporting national development.
Dignitaries at the event included Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji; Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa; the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi; elder statesman, Chief Bisi Akande; former Governors Segun Oni and Olusegun Mimiko; the Ogoga of Ikere-Ekiti and Chairman of the Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers, Oba Adejimi Adu-Alagbado; and the Osemawe of Ondo, Oba Victor Kiladejo, among others, who paid glowing tributes to Olanipekun’s philanthropy.
The 35-bed state-of-the-art facility comprises three general wards, private wards, consulting rooms, ultrasound rooms, two theatre suites, labour rooms, a neonatal intensive care unit, doctors’ call rooms, a recovery room, a staff lounge, and a Chief Medical Director’s office.
It is expected to significantly boost maternal and child healthcare delivery in the state.
Pate said, “This complex will expand access, improve outcomes, reduce avoidable deaths and provide a more dignified environment for patients and staff.
“This project aligns with the Federal Government’s push to strengthen maternal and child healthcare and expand access to quality services nationwide.
“We appreciate Chief Olanipekun for consistent investments in education, healthcare, and community development through the Wole Olanipekun Foundation. We urge other wealthy Nigerians to follow suit.
“Maternal and child health remains a critical priority for this administration. We are working to ensure every pregnant woman has access to antenatal care, safe delivery, emergency obstetric care, immunisation, and nutrition support,” he said.
Oyebanji described the project as a remarkable contribution to healthcare delivery and humanity, noting that it reflected Olanipekun’s commitment to his roots and the welfare of the people.
He said, “This 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.”
Aiyedatiwa described the initiative as an act of extraordinary generosity and a life-saving intervention, noting that national development would accelerate when individuals complement government efforts.
Olanipekun, in his remarks, thanked Oyebanji for creating an enabling environment that encouraged private participation in development.
He said the decision to establish the facility was driven by the need to reduce preventable maternal and child deaths and improve access to quality healthcare services.
Olanipekun said, “This Mother and Child Maternity Complex is a modest extension of my family’s contributions to strengthening the healthcare delivery system in our country.
“It has been designed, built and equipped to meet global standards. Every item, from operating tables and neonatal monitors to incubators, oxygen concentrators, and specialised surgical sets, has been provided to ensure world-class service delivery,” he said.
Akande, who inaugurated the project, described Olanipekun as a man whose greatness is defined not only by achievements but by the lives he impacts.
He said, “Patriotism is not merely about political positions or public acclaim; it is about responsibility to humanity. Chief Olanipekun has demonstrated this repeatedly.”
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, prayed for Olanipekun, describing the facility as a world-class intervention capable of addressing maternal and child health needs.
Other dignitaries at the event included the Deputy Governor of Ekiti State, Mrs Monisade Afuye; Chairman of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Senator Adedayo Adeyeye; Senators Yemi Adaramodu and Cyril Fasuyi; the Catholic Bishop of Ekiti Diocese, Most Rev Felix Ajakaiye; and the Chief Medical Director of Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Prof Kayode Olabanji.
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