The Osun State Government has explained why the 80-bed hospital donated by the former spokesperson to late President Muhammadu Buhari, Femi Adesina, in Ipetumodu is yet to commence operation.
Reacting to a publication by OSUN DEFENDER in its October 17, 2025, the state Ministry of Health in a statement by the Special Adviser to Governor Ademola Adeleke on Public Health, Dr Akindele Adekunle disclosed that the medical facility was not abandoned but work is still in progress to bring the project to life.
Adekunle noted that the hospital was handed to the state government with some inadequacies which efforts have been put in place to address.
“The Osun State Ministry of Health has responded to a publication by the Osun Defender on the state of a medical facility donated to the state by an aide of late President Muhammadu Buhari, Chief Femi Adesina.
“This oversight, we presumed, was explored by vandals who ransacked the hospital, carting away generating sets and other equipment installed in it. The State Government has corrected this lapse as it had built a security post in the hospital with plans to have policemen stationed to guard the facility and avoid criminals from accessing the facility to vandalize it, harass patients and medical personnel posted there when the hospital becomes fully operational. Also, the vandalized generating set has been fixed and a new generating house built to house it.
“We wish to also point out that the contractor of the facility did a very bad job as was evident with the roof that was swept off by wind and it took the intervention of the State Government to redo the roofing. The compound of the hospital was also not floored, giving room for bushes and other dangerous animals within the vicinity of the hospital. The defect has been corrected as the compound of the hospital has been floored.
“In addition to this, there was no provision for a laboratory when the hospital was handed to the State Government, however, this has been corrected by this administration with the creation of a laboratory to serve the hospital, which has also been fully equipped to complement its operation.
“It is also important to note that at the point of commissioning, the hospital was not connected to the national grid, leaving it with no power supply. However, this administration is in the process of installing transformers and facilitating the connection of the hospital to the national grid for optimal supply of electricity.
“It is at this point that we are and upon the complete electrification of the hospital, the State Government will deploy personnel to the hospital and put it into operation. Furniture and other essentials that were lacking at the point of commissioning of the hospital have been procured and supplied to the facility by the State Government.
“Therefore, we want to enjoin the people of Ipetumodu and Osun people as a whole to bear with the State Government as efforts are in motion to address identified issues for better delivery of services. We remain committed to putting every facility in use for the healthy needs of Osun people and urge journalists to partner with us by ensuring that every information put out to the public are accurate and not stir unnecessary apprehensions”, the statement concluded.
Earlier, the Secretary, Ipetumodu Development Forum, Mr. Kehinde Oyetunmbi while reacting to the delay appealed to the state government to fast track the project and bring it to life.
Oyetunmbi in a statement made available to OSUN DEFENDER said: “Fast-forward, 3 years down the lane when this healthcare centre, constructed by the Federal Government of Nigeria, facilitated by Chief Femi Adesina, the Oluomo of Ipetumodu, was commissioned in 2023. The facility was handed over to the state government for: Staffing, Operation & Management.
“It’s quite unfortunate that the facility’s monthly security salary was left into the hand of HRM Oba Prof Joseph Olugbenga Oloyede, Apetumodu of Ipetumodu, being assisted by the Ipetumodu Development Forum all these years, a government facility for that matter.
“The facility was once burgled with Air conditioners, generating set cable etc carted away, The burgled News attracted the state government attention through the office of the state deputy speaker, who facilitated the replacement of some equipment carted away, although, the contractor is yet to complete all that is necessary to put the facility into operation when he claimed money received exhausted and since then, nothing seems happening.
“We are appealing again to the Osun State Government through Ipetumodu Sons and Daughters in the helm of affairs, to complete and bring this facility into function.
This will improve the health status of Ife North Electorates, reduce the kabiyesi monthly spending from his personal purse on the security of the health centre without any commensurate result and also bring the health centre equipment into the maximum operation level.
“Please, bring this facility into operation for Ipetumodu and we shall forever be grateful. The completion and operation of this project shouldn’t be for another electioneering campaign. Thanks for your understanding and proactiveness to this call.”
Yusuf Oketola is a trained journalist with over five years of experience in the media industry. He has worked for both print and online medium. He is a thorough-bred professional with an eye of hindsight on issues bothering on social justice, purposeful leadership, and a society where the leaders charge and work for the prosperity of the people.
