Osun State Governor, Mr Gboyega Oyetola on Thursday announced the upgrading of Ilesa College Of Education to University degrees awarding institution in the State
The Governor made the announcement on the occasion of Inauguration and handing over of Ijesaland Geriatric Centre to Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Ile-Ife OAUTH.
Oyetola who applauded Ijesa sons, daughters and well wishers at home and in the Diaspora, on this historic occasion of the inauguration of the Ijesaland Geriatric Centre, which is a product of the magnanimity of the Ijesa people said such gesture will ho a long way of assisting the people through quality health delivery.
He said the Centre is another testament to the generosity and abiding passion of the great Ijesa people to add value to the lives of our people through the contribution of salient needs.
The Chief executive of the State express deepest gratitude to the people of Ijesaland and particularly the highly-revered Royal Father, His Imperial Majesty, Owa Obokun Adimula of Ijesaland, Oba (Dr.) Gabriel Aromolaran, for his inspiring and productive leadership.
He stated that it has estimated that by 2020, over 20 million Nigerians will be 60 years old and above and would benefit from from this well-thought initiative.
” it has been estimated that globally, there will be more adults over the age of sixty than there are adolescents and youths aged 10-12 years by the Year 2050. The implications of this, is that even if the developing world is not ageing as rapidly as the developed world, we have an opportunity to start putting in place structures that will take care of our older adults today and tomorrow.
“This project is well-thought-out and has definitely come to fill a much-needed void. the Ijesa Geriatric Centre is a welcome development as it brings closer to our people specialised geriatric care. This is against the background of the truism that being old is not a disease and that senior citizens have a right to medical care as indeed the younger population.
He explained that the invaluable role in the development of the society, our senior citizens should deservedly be treated with warmth, utmost respect and be provided a truly-enabling environment where they can interact with healthcare professionals with dignity.
“Doing so is instructive, as it shows that our senior citizens are valued for their contributions to the development of our society. This is the need that this Geriatric Center has come to fill, and we cannot thank you enough for making it possible, only ten months after its construction was commenced.
“Worth a billion Naira, this Centre is an expansive facility that comprises the general outpatient building, administrative building, ophthalmology and dental building, physiotherapy, theatre complex, inward among other essential facilities that will provide the best of medical care for our senior citizens.
“I consider this project absolutely complementary to our administration’s sustained investment in the health sector. You will recall that in the last three years plus of our administration, we have devoted unprecedented attention to revitalizing our health sector.
“This concerted development today has given birth to the revitalisation of 332 primary health centres across all wards in our state, improved welfare of our medical workers, the construction of a 120-bed ward, construction of 30 units of doctor’s quarters at the State Specialist Hospital Asubiaro, rehabilitation of our general hospitals, among other numerous interventions.
This he said have earned recognition and placed our State as one of the leading states in healthcare investment, including the Osun Health Insurance Scheme to cater for vulnerable persons and other categories of our citizens.
“we cannot thank the Ijesa people enough for this clearly- outstanding contribution. I believe that this is an intervention that other well-meaning indigenous groups should emulate and be counted to become frontline contributors to the development of our State.
“Let me remind us that the strength and usefulness of this Centre are in the good use to which it is put. May I therefore implore our people to visit this facility for their personal health care while also urging us all to ensure its maintenance.
” Having looked into and examined carefully the request made by prominent sons and daughters of Ijesa Land, and the Owa, our highly-revered Royal Father, His Imperial decided to upgrade the College of Education, Ilesa, to a full-fledged University. We have also engaged one of the nation’s best corporate Consultants, KPMG, to work out the sustainability plan of the upgrade.
Responding, the Asiwaju of Ijesaland, Asiwaju Yinka Fasuyi appreciated the governor for heeding to their age-long request saying the governor will continue to enjoy the support of Ija people.
“We appreciate you for heeding to our age-long prayers of upgrading a 44 years College of Education to a full fledged University.
“You have honoured us and God will continue to honour you. You have listened to our requests, our overdue agitations and God will not forsake you. You have rekindled our hope as Ijesa people and you have made us proud with this declaration.
“You shall continue to be celebrated. I want to assure you that Ijesaland shall vote massively beyond your imagination in return of your kind gesture to us. Is only God in His infinity mercy that will compensate you.
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