In a bold move to give quality research and education Mrs. Folorunso Alakija, has handed over the Modupe and Folorunso Alakija Medical Research and Training Hospital, which she built, to the management of Osun State University, Osogbo.
According to a statement signed by the Public Relations Officer of the university, Ademola Adesoji, and obtained in Osogbo on Wednesday, the event took place at Famfa Towers, Ikoyi, Lagos.
Adesoji stated that the Governing Council and Management of Osun State University, led by the Pro-Chancellor, Prof. Wale Oladipo, and the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Clement Adebooye, visited Alakija, who is the University’s Chancellor, in Lagos for the official signing and handover of the facility.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Managing Director of Famfa Oil, Mr. Dele Alakija, who represented the donor, expressed the family’s gratitude to God and thanked the university authorities for their unwavering commitment to advancing medical education and healthcare development in Nigeria.
“It is with great joy and gratitude that our family officially hands over this state-of-the-art medical research and training hospital to Osun State University,” he said.
He noted that the vision of his parents, Modupe and Folorunso Alakija, had always been to strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare system through education, innovation, and community service, commending the university for sharing that vision.
He assured all that the family would continue to support initiatives aimed at improving healthcare training and delivery.
“The facility is equipped with world-class medical equipment, and we look forward to the positive impact it will have on the university community and society at large,” he added.
In an address by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Odunayo Clement Adebooye, described the donation as a “timeless legacy and a seed that will continue to grow for generations.”
The Vice-chancellor also commended Apostle Alakija for her benevolence and unwavering faith in the university’s vision, Adebooye also thanked former Osun State Deputy Governor, Mrs. Titi Laoye-Ponnle, for facilitating the partnership that birthed the project.
“Today marks one of the happiest moments of my career. I was part of the team that first visited the forest where this project began, never imagining I would one day return as the Vice-Chancellor to receive this magnificent hospital on behalf of the University,” Adebooye said.
Meanwhile, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Prof. Oladipo, on behalf of the Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, expressed the state’s gratitude to the Alakija family for their contribution to the advancement of healthcare and medical education in Nigeria.
Oladipo added, “As a scientist, I can attest that many of the facilities installed in this hospital are rare even in the most sophisticated hospitals across the country.
“On behalf of the Governor and the people of Osun State, I assure you that this facility will be managed with utmost professionalism and efficiency. It will not be run as a typical government enterprise but maintained with private-sector discipline and accountability.”
The donation of the facility is expected to further enhance the capacity of the university to produce medical experts who will play major roles in addressing the challenge of inadequate personnel in the country’s health sector.
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