Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has urged Nigerians and philanthropists to leave lasting legacies through investments in education and healthcare, emphasizing that such contributions resonate across generations.
The governor made this appeal in Osogbo during the inauguration of the Modupe and Folorunso Alakija Medical Research and Training Hospital at Osun State University (UNIOSUN). He described the facility as a historic milestone in the advancement of medical education and healthcare delivery in Nigeria.
The state capital was alive with celebration as the new hospital signaled a major step forward in cutting-edge medical training, research, and healthcare services. Adeleke, who also serves as the Visitor to UNIOSUN, described the hospital as “immense beyond valuation and remarkable beyond description,” noting that it places Osun State and Nigeria firmly on the global map for medical research and training.
He hailed the hospital as a landmark achievement made possible through the philanthropy of Baba Modupe Folarin Alakija and Mama Apostle (Dr.) Folorunso Alakija, praising them for establishing what he called Africa’s first all-in-one medical facility combining training, research, and advanced healthcare delivery.
“This is a day of joy, thanksgiving, and celebration,” Adeleke said. “The Alakijas have opened new avenues of opportunity by providing a facility that meets multiple critical needs simultaneously. It is unparalleled on the African continent.”
The inauguration drew prominent figures from across Nigeria, including former Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, alongside traditional rulers such as the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi; the Owa Obokun of Ijesaland, Oba Clement Adesuyi Haastrup Ajimoko III; and the Ataoja of Osogboland, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun Oyetunji, Larooye II.
Governor Adeleke reflected on his early days in office, noting that upon assuming duty in November 2022, he developed a keen interest in the growth and operational challenges of UNIOSUN. “This engagement revealed the vision of the university’s Chancellor, Mama Alakija, who was already constructing the hospital to donate to the institution,” he explained. “When I toured the facility during construction, I was amazed by the scale, sophistication, and quality of the medical and diagnostic equipment being installed.”
He highlighted that governments worldwide continue to face challenges in funding education and healthcare, making philanthropic contributions like those of the Alakijas not only noble but indispensable. On behalf of the government and people of Osun State, Adeleke offered prayers for the donors, wishing them and their descendants long life, sound health, and enduring grace.
The governor also commended the leadership of UNIOSUN, both past and present, for their stability, accountability, and prudent management of resources, which he said continues to shape the state’s educational policies. Special recognition was given to the Ataoja of Osogbo for donating the land on which the hospital stands—a gesture Adeleke described as a rare example of selfless community leadership.
In closing, the governor challenged affluent Nigerians to follow the Alakijas’ example, stressing that meaningful societal transformation begins when individuals choose to give back to humanity. “As we give to humanity, the world becomes a better place for all of us,” he said.
The inauguration of the Modupe and Folorunso Alakija Medical Research and Training Hospital marks a defining moment for UNIOSUN, Osun State, and Nigeria’s healthcare sector, heralding a future where advanced medical training, research, and healthcare delivery converge in one world-class facility.
