Kwara Governor, AbdulRazaq inaugurates the health facility
By Emmanuel Kehinde, Ilorin
Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on Saturday described the N350m medical facility built by the Offa Metropolitan Club (OMC) as a good template for all levels of government towards the development of health sector in Nigeria.
He congratulated and commended the OMC and Offa community for the execution of the facility, which he said will complement the government’s efforts to promote improved access to quality healthcare in the state.
The Governor spoke in Offa at the commissioning of the medical facility donated by the Offa Metropolitan Club.
“There must be public private partnership in the health sector to move forward because it is extremely expensive. With this facility in place, people now have the option of coming to it or going to the government hospitals. By and large, this is a template and a work in progress. If it works well it can be replicated all over Nigeria, ” he said.
“I am proud to be identified with the historic success of Offa today. This is the same can-do spirit of Offa at its best. I therefore congratulate and commend offa metropolitan club for constructing this fine edifice.”
AbdulRazaq said it was capital intensive for the government to solely transform the sector, calling for a robust public-private partnership to deepen efficient service delivery.
The Governor also congratulated the Olofa of Offa, Oba Mufutau Gbadamosi Esuwoye II, on the completion of the facility.
At the event were Senator Lola Ashiru; some cabinet members; Executive Chairman, Federal Character Commission (FCC), Hajia Farida Dantata; the Olofa of Offa Oba Mufutau Gbadamosi Esuwoye II; President Offa Metropolitan Club Dr. Sarah Alade; Chairman KAM holdings Alhaji Kamoru Yusuf; and CEO LUBCON Nigeria Alhaji Jani Ibrahim; Rafiu Rabana SAN; Chairman KWIRS Mrs. Folashade Omoniyi; Prof Suleiman Adeyemi; Dr. Waheed Olagunju; among other personalities.
Oba Mufutau Gbadamosi Esuwoye ll, in his remarks, said the construction of the facility clearly manifests the love the people of Offa have for their fatherland, saying this quality was applicable to all Offa technocrats and leaders across all walks of life.
“Offa people have always been on the frontburner, and they are trailblazers in all ramifications. We are proud to set another benchmark today on a developmental project of this magnitude,” the Olofa said.
He commended every member of the OMC for realising the dream, a gesture he called an uncommon sacrifice to the wellness of humanity.
He also thanked the Governor for identifying with Offa people and for considering the OMC worthy of getting the state Merit Award as partners in progress.
“This multimillion naira edifice of international standard will not only add value to the quality of our healthcare service to our people and neighboring communities, but it will also reduce to the barest minimum avoidable referral of emergency cases. I hereby commend everyone who has contributed in one way or the other towards the realization of the project,” he said.
President of OMC, Dr. Serah Alade, for her part, said they conceived the idea of building the facility to further improve the people’s access to good healthcare services, and to complement the government’s efforts in changing the face of the sector.
She acknowledged the sacrifice of the OMC’s members for contributing their hard-earned money to better the lots of the Offa7 community.