…As FUTA Teaching Hospital outlines progress work
The Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade Aladelusi, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving the establishment of a Teaching Hospital and a College of Aviation in Akure, the Ondo State capital.
The Akure traditional ruler gave the commendation when the management of the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) Teaching Hospital, led by its Chief Medical Director, Prof. Olusegun Ojo paid him a courtesy visit at the palace in Akure on Monday.
Oba Aladelusi said the Tinubu administration had brought immense benefits to Akure, noting that residents of the town had clamoured for a federal teaching hospital since the creation of Ondo State in 1976.
According to him, what other state capitals took for granted had remained elusive to Akure until the emergence of President Tinubu.
“With the establishment of the FUTA Teaching Hospital, the people of Akure and Ondo State will no longer need to travel to Osun, Oyo, and Lagos states for medical attention,” the monarch said.
He also listed the College of Aviation and the appointment of a substantive minister from Akure as part of the gains recorded under the present administration, recalling that the last time the town produced a minister was when Chief Olu Falae served as Minister of Finance and Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
Oba Aladelusi said access to quality healthcare was a major reason people in developed countries lived longer, stressing that the new teaching hospital would significantly improve healthcare delivery in the state.
He applauded President Tinubu and Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa for ceding the Specialist Hospital in Akure to the Federal Government for the establishment of the teaching hospital.
“President Tinubu loves Akure very much. He promised us a teaching hospital, and he has fulfilled his promise. He also gave us a substantive minister and the College of Aviation. We will always support him,” the monarch said.
He, however, charged the management of the hospital to work towards reducing the death rate and making the institution one of the best in the country and globally, pledging to encourage Akure indigenes to donate buildings and facilities to support the hospital
Earlier, Prof. Ojo said the management of the FUTA Teaching Hospital held the Deji of Akure and the traditional institution in high esteem, describing the host community as critical to the success of the hospital.
He explained that the visit was to formally present the newly constituted management team to the palace and seek the royal father’s goodwill and support.
Ojo said no meaningful institution could thrive within a community without the cooperation and support of its traditional ruler and chiefs, adding that the visit was deliberate and symbolic.
According to him, the palace and the people of Akure had stood by the hospital at every critical stage of its development, describing the support as a show of love, ownership and partnership that would remain indelible in the institution’s history.
He noted that although the FUTA Teaching Hospital was a federal institution, it remained a pride of Akure Kingdom.
“Kabiyesi, FUTA Teaching Hospital is not only a federal institution; it is a pride of Akure Kingdom. It is our responsibility to ensure quality healthcare delivery, contribute to medical education, advance research, create jobs, and positively impact the wellbeing of our host community,” he said.
He added that the new management team was committed to consolidating existing achievements, upholding professionalism, integrity and excellence, and fostering a harmonious relationship with the host community.
