Okpebholo unveils hospital in Edo, commends financier

L-R: Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social welfare and Dr. Leemon Ikpea, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Agbonjagwe Leemon Ikpea Foundation, at the commissioning of a 62-bed ultramodern hospital donated by Dr. Ikpea to his Idumu-Iyase, Ewatto community of Esan South-East Local Government Area of Edo State. Photo: Adeyinka Adedipe

Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has inaugurated a 62-bed ultramodern medical centre donated by billionaire businessman and philanthropist, Dr Leemon Ikpea, to his community in Ewatto, Esan South-East Local Government Area of the state.

The facility is designed to improve access to healthcare for residents of Ewatto and neighbouring communities.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony on Wednesday, Okpebholo commended Ikpea for investing in healthcare infrastructure, describing the project as an example of how private sector participation could complement government efforts to improve healthcare delivery.

He said the government could not meet the healthcare needs of the population alone and urged individuals and organisations with the means to invest in projects that would improve residents’ welfare.

“Government alone cannot do it. We need private-sector partners and other individuals to complement public sector investments. Ikpea has set a good record, and I encourage other well-meaning individuals and organisations to emulate him.

“I charge the management of Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital and the medical professionals who will serve here to uphold the highest standards of patient care.

“To the people of Ewatto, protect this facility and make good use of it. Let it become a place of hope and healing,” the governor said.

Okpebholo also urged the hospital’s management and healthcare professionals to maintain high standards of patient care, while calling on residents to protect the facility and its equipment.

Highlighting his administration’s efforts to strengthen healthcare delivery, the governor said more than 2,000 healthcare workers had been recruited and over 65 primary healthcare centres upgraded across the state’s three senatorial districts.

He also assured residents that his administration would mobilise the contractor handling the ongoing construction of the Ewatto-Udo Road to return to the site.

The governor said the move would be made “now that the dry season is fast approaching.”

Speaking at the event, Ikpea, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Agbonjagwe Leemon Ikpea Foundation, said the medical centre was equipped with modern facilities to provide healthcare services to the community.

He added that the facility would serve as an annex to Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital.

Ikpea stressed that the hospital belonged to the community and should be protected as a collective asset to ensure its continued use for healthcare delivery.

He appealed to community leaders, residents and security agencies to work together to safeguard the facility, its equipment and buildings against damage and vandalism.

The philanthropist also urged residents to support the state government’s efforts to improve healthcare services, expressing optimism that the centre would contribute to the wellbeing of people in Ewatto and surrounding communities.

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Muhammad Ali Pate, who joined the governor to commission the facility, commended Ikpea, the foundation and his family for investing in healthcare infrastructure.

Pate described the project as a source of pride for the community and Edo State, noting that access to quality healthcare was essential to societal development.

He said a healthy population was better positioned to contribute to economic growth, adding that farmers, teachers, children and other members of society benefited from accessible and effective healthcare services.

The minister urged wealthy Nigerians and private sector organisations to partner with federal and state governments to expand healthcare infrastructure and improve service delivery nationwide.

He said such partnerships would complement public investments and support efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare system.

The Nigerian government has continued to encourage public-private partnerships to address gaps in healthcare infrastructure and improve access to essential medical services.

Such collaborations are aimed at complementing government-funded facilities, expanding healthcare access and strengthening service delivery, particularly in communities where residents may face challenges accessing specialised medical care.