Happier times are on the way for residents of Itabo Community in Ibarapa East Local Government Area of Oyo State, as the council’s Supervisory Councillor for Health and chairman of the AKL Foundation, Hon. Adebayo Kehinde Lateef a.k.a. MODE, has flagged off the building of a Primary Health Centre.
Hon. Adebayo, who stated that the decision of his foundation, the Adebayo Akande Lateef Foundation, to construct the PHC was in line with the vision of the Oyo State governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, to bring healthcare delivery closer to the people at the grassroots.
He maintained as a victim of snake bite in his childhood days, who had to be transported several kilometres to Eruwa, it behoves on him to do all he can to make healthcare readily available, hence the decision to facilitate the building of the PHC in Itabo Community.
He expressed the hope that with the support of well-meaning individuals and the government, the project you would be completed in 12 months.
He said: “I am embarking on this project because I have resolved to do my best to ensure that the vision of providing a good health facility that will provide care to this immediate community and beyond, as envisioned by the most loved and celebrated governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, (FNSE), the executive governor of Oyo State, becomes a reality in my immediate community.
“I am convinced that this is possible with the support of all my fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, Mr. Speaker, Rt. Hon Adebo Ogundoyin, and particularly the Oyo State Primary Health Care Board under the watch of the Executive Secretary, Dr. Muideen Babatunde Olatunji and our Honourable Commissioner for Health, Dr. Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, all Commissioners here present at this occasion, all political office holders in Ibarapa East, both present and immediate, especially Rt. Hon. Oluyemi Adewale Taiwo, that this Health Care Centre will be completed in 12 months.
“Let it be on record that this health facility project is just the tip of an iceberg among many services to humanity that AKL Foundation has envisioned to offer to the Ibarapa East Local Government Area and Oyo State in general. The milk of passion for humanity shall flow continuously as long as the needs arise, for the benefit of mankind,” he said.
Also speaking at the flag-off event, the Executive Secretary of the Oyo State Primary Health Care Board, Dr Muideen Olatunji, lauded Adebayo, saying “it is cheering that an ordinary Local Government political office holder shares in the vision of the state governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde to build a PHC in each ward of the state.”
He described Ibarapa East Supervisory Councillor for Health as a rare and special breed among Nigerian politicians, saying his action is first of its kind in the entire Oyo State.
Dr Olatunji explained that Governor Makinde-led administration has, so far, upgraded 210 PHCs out of 351 PHCs in each ward of Oyo State, promising on behalf of the governor that the health centre will be fully equipped for the use of Itabo community and Lanlate city.
Similarly, the Onilala of Lanlate, Oba Sunday Bolawaye Oladejo, Oguntayi II, who was represented by the Baale Agbe of Lanlate, Chief Osuade Olagboye, said Adebayo has proved himself as a man with capacity despite only being a Supervisory Councillor at the council.
The Commissioner for Local Government, Hon. Segun Olayiwola, who was represented by the Ministry’s Director of Inspection, Mr. M. A. Bolarinwa, also commended Adebayo, promising the support of the Ministry in supervising the project to completion.
In his words, Hon Yemi Taiwo, the immediate past member representing Ido/Ibarapa East in the House of Representatives, also commended Hon Adebayo Kehinde Lateef for the laudable effort.
The Ibarapa East Local Government PHC Coordinator, Dr Oyediran Y.O., equally hailed Adebayo as the best Supervisory Councillor for Health that he has ever worked with, pointing out how he single-handedly funded the inauguration of Ibarapa East Health Authority Advisory Council, printing of 1000 copies of Lassa Fever awareness posters during the Lassa Fever outbreak and the procurement of world class 150 aprons for vaccine immunisations.
Other dignitaries at the event included Prince Toyin Olabimisi, the Saraki Adinni of Lanlate; Prince Oluwole Opadeye, a PDP chieftain; Prince Oyeleke Oyetunji, the Olori Omooba of Itaboland and the Hon. Michael Oni, the Supervisory Councillor for Health in Oorelope Local Government and chairman of the Forum of Supervisory Councillors, Oyo State.
