Philanthropist donates building to OAUTCH Geriatric Centre, Ilesa
A Philanthropist, Chief Lateef Bakare, has donated a building complex to Ijesaland Geriatric Centre of Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex (OAUTHC).
The centre, donated by Bakare, who is the Ajirowa of Ijesaland, to mark his 70th birthday, was inaugurated by the Owa Obokun of Ijesaland, Oba Clement Haastrup, in Ilesa on Saturday.
Speaking at the occasion, the traditional ruler commended the donor and other indigenes of Ijesaland for their generous donations toward the growth and development of Ijesaland, even before his ascension to the throne.
According to him, the Ijesaland has been enjoying government patronage, while stakeholders have also been providing some facilities for the benefits of the people.
He listed some of the facilities to include healthcare services, scholarships, insurance scheme, the geriatric centre being inaugurated as well as a befitting palace for the Owa Obokun, among others.
Oba Haastrup also applauded the wives of those he called Ijesaland elite for allowing their husbands to contribute their quotas to the progress of the land.
Earlier, the Chief Medical Director of OAUTHC, Prof. John Okeniyi, thanked God for the life of Chief Bakare who, he said, had been using his resources for humanity.
Okeniyi particularly commended fulfilling the pledge he made earlier in the year to construct the centre.
According to him, with kind-hearted people like Bakare, Nigeria will be a better place to live, while people will not have cause to travel out of the country for greener pasture.
The chief medical director pledged that the teaching hospital would maintain the building and all the equipment provided there, adding that it would be for the advancement of humanity.
In his remarks, Bakare expressed gratitude to God for the opportunity given to him to donate the centre.
He called on other stakeholders and philanthropists from Ijesaland to continue donating and supporting the advancement of humanity, as government alone cannot do it.
Some of the dignitaries who graced the occasion included: a former Governor of Osun, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, traditional rulers from Ijesaland and principal officers of OAUTHC, among others.
