The Kwara Government on Thursday signed an agreement to upgrade the Omu-Aran General Hospital to a Teaching Hospital for medical students of Thomas Adewumi University (TAU), Oko.
TAU is located in Oko, Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that TAU is expected to produce health workers, including medical officers and other specialists, to boost healthcare services in the country.
Delivering a keynote address at the signing of the MOU, Health Commissioner, Dr Amina Ahmed El-Imam, said the occasion was another milestone to strengthen the state’s health system.
The commissioner described Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq as a man of action committed to beating his own records across various sectors.
She cited the recent recruitment of 1,005 health workers, including medical officers, midwives and nurses, as pivotal evidence of the governor’s achievements.
The commissioner also drew attention to the ongoing process to implement the latest CONMESS, facility upgrades across basic and secondary facilities and creation of the state teaching hospital as other achievements of the governor.
“To the glory of God, I have been privileged to work in America, United Kingdom and Nigeria, and nowhere in the world have I seen a sector completely run by the government that succeeded.
” So, it takes a forward thinking, visionary, and dynamic personality like Malam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to know the limit and seek the collaboration and support of the private sector.
” This is what is at play here today,” she said.
The Olupo of Ajase-Ipo, Oba Ismaila Alebiosu, who spoke on behalf of Kwara South Senatorial District, commended the governor for making history with the latest initiative.
“We have never had it this good in our region and I speak for our people.
” The governor recently commissioned the Osi Campus of KWASU, and there are many road projects in different parts of our region.” This is another big one and it shows that he is a governor for the whole of Kwara State.
” We are grateful to him,” he said .
The Olupo also described the founder and Chancellor of TAU, Dr Thomas Adewumi, as a fantastic problem solver and a pride of the region.
He further commended his commitment to the school project and other forms of humanitarian services.
“This project for which we are here today is a project for which I can say that Kwara Southerners are very grateful to the governor for.
” This is because it is going to be the first of its kind in this region.
” Our gathering in large numbers is to show how happy we are about this development.
” We are very happy that this is being done during our lifetime,” he added.
Adewumi, on his part, expressed gratitude to the governor for positively impacting lives and his concern for equity.
“The owners of Kwara South are all here today, as the presence of our monarchs shows.
” They have all come to celebrate the governor for what he has done for Kwara South.
” It is a landmark achievement that transcends ordinary consideration,” he said.
“Governor AbdulRazaq is a man who believes in fairness.
” He is making great impacts in the lives of the people.
” The impacts he has made in Kwara will live for decades and generations to come.
” We have never had it so good since 1967. I pray that God gives him long life and continues to use him for greater accomplishments,” he said.
NAN reports that the MOU is another initiative of the administration to strengthen its collaboration with private institutions in healthcare delivery.
NAN also reports that the government signed a similar MOU to allow Al-Hikmah University to use the newly upgraded Sobi Specialist Ilorin as a teaching hospital as part of the accreditation processes for its medical courses.
The MOU with TAU attracted senior government officials, traditional rulers, top academics and stakeholders in the education sector.
Among the dignitaries were the Information Commissioner, Bola Olukoju; Chairman, Irepodun local government, Yakub AbdulAzeez and veteran journalist and APC chieftain, Raheem Adedoyin.(NAN)
