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… Commissions Five Major Projects Named After Eminent Nigerians
BY ABU-SATAR HAMED
ABEOKUTA, OGUN STATE, NIGERIA – The Honourable Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, has reiterated the Federal Government’s unwavering commitment to improving the health status of Nigerians.
He stated that the government is doing everything possible to save lives, reduce physical pain, eliminate financial barriers to healthcare, and ensure health for all.
Dr. Salako made these remarks on Saturday, May 24, 2025, during the commissioning of multiple projects at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Abeokuta, Ogun State.
He expressed delight at being joined by eminent citizens of Ogun State and the nation “to commission some projects of impactful relevance to the mandate of the Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta.”
“Today,” Dr. Salako announced, “we are commissioning five key projects cutting across direct clinical care, ancillary services, and administration.”
The projects were named after notable Nigerians, including the Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, in recognition of his performance as “Mr. Project,” with the Works and Maintenance Department named in his honour.
Other honourees include Chief Olusegun Osoba, the parents of former Governor Senator Ibikunle Amosun, and former Commandant General of the NSCDC, Dr. Ade Abolurin.
Dr. Salako also revealed that seven other ongoing projects at the centre will be named after distinguished individuals who have contributed to the development of the hospital.
The Minister highlighted that the Federal Government, in line with its commitment to quality healthcare, has embarked on a series of capacity-building in
itiatives and modernization of infrastructure across all Federal Tertiary Health Institutions.
Dr. Salako explained that as part of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the government is revitalizing the primary healthcare system. Through a nationwide upgrade scheme, the goal is to ensure at least two functional Level 2 Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) per ward by 2027.
He added that training is ongoing for frontline health workers, while the reorganized Basic Healthcare Provision Fund is being deployed to ensure essential inputs are available in selected PHCs across Nigeria.
The health component of the Renewed Hope Agenda, implemented via the Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative, is anchored on four pillars. One of these, Dr. Salako noted, is to improve population health outcomes by ensuring accessible and qualitative healthcare services at all levels.
Dr. Salako emphasized that the Federal Government will continue showcasing strategic interventions to upgrade infrastructure in tertiary institutions as part of the Tinubu administration’s second-year anniversary.
“We will mark this milestone not with funfair but with concrete, people-centred and impactful achievements,” he said.
The Minister further disclosed that the Federal Government has established 12 new tertiary health facilities across Nigeria in the past two years. This, he explained, is a strategic move to match the rising population and address the increasing burden of non-communicable diseases.
To address staffing needs, Dr. Salako revealed that the government has recruited over 15,000 health workers within the last year to strengthen service delivery in 61 federal tertiary health institutions across the country.
Dr. Salako appreciated the outgoing Medical Director of FMC Abeokuta, Professor Musa Olomu, whose tenure concludes in about a week.
He lauded Prof. Olomu’s dedication over the last eight years, commending his hard work and sacrifice in keeping alive the founding vision of the institution. “I pray Almighty Allah rewards you for your service to the nation. You have done your bit, and posterity will judge you,” he said.
Dr. Salako expressed deep gratitude to Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, for providing a peaceful and enabling environment as well as vital sub-national support for the hospital’s progress.
He also thanked traditional institutions and elder statesmen for their unwavering support and appealed for their continued cooperation to help the government achieve more.
Dr. Salako pledged his personal commitment as both a son of Ogun State and the supervising Minister to ensure that the Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta continues to grow from strength to strength.
