By Law Ibitoye
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Ali Pate, has said the newly donated NewCruse Mother and Child Maternity Complex in Ikere-Ekiti by legal luminary, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), will significantly help reduce maternal and child mortality rates in Nigeria.
Pate stated this on Tuesday during the commissioning and handover of the ultramodern maternity facility to the Ekiti State Government at the State Specialist Hospital, Ikere-Ekiti. Represented by the Chief Medical Director of the Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido-Ekiti, Professor Kolawole Ogundipe, the minister described the project as a symbol of compassion, patriotism and shared responsibility toward the wellbeing of women and children.
According to him, the donation aligns with the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening maternal and child healthcare services and improving access to quality healthcare delivery across the country. He noted that the facility would expand access to quality antenatal care, safe delivery services, emergency obstetric care, immunisation and comprehensive healthcare for newborns and children.
The minister commended Olanipekun for his sustained philanthropic contributions through the Wole Olanipekun Foundation, stressing that the senior advocate had consistently invested in education, healthcare, scholarships, empowerment and community development initiatives across Nigeria. He urged wealthy Nigerians, corporate organisations and development partners to emulate the gesture by supporting healthcare infrastructure and community health programmes.
Pate further explained that the Federal Ministry of Health had continued to track maternal and under-five morbidity and mortality in healthcare facilities nationwide with the aim of drastically reducing avoidable deaths. He said the NewCruse Mother and Child Complex would improve maternal and child health outcomes while providing a more conducive environment for patients and healthcare workers.
Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, described the project as “philanthropy at its best,” saying it represented the kind of revolution Nigeria truly needs. He stated that meaningful national development would come when successful individuals invest in society through practical interventions rather than criticisms.
Aiyedatiwa added that although the maternity complex is located in Ekiti State, its benefits would extend beyond state boundaries by promoting healthier families, a more productive workforce and regional stability. He also praised Governor Biodun Oyebanji for creating an enabling environment that encourages indigenes to contribute meaningfully to the development of the state.
Former Governor of Osun State and ex-National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Chief Bisi Akande, who commissioned the project, described Olanipekun as a patriot whose greatness transcends professional accomplishments and titles. He said the legal icon had distinguished himself in service to humanity through investments in churches, libraries, educational institutions and healthcare infrastructure.
Similarly, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, extolled Olanipekun’s contributions to humanity and national development, describing him as a blessing to society. The monarch called on Nigerian universities and scholars to conduct studies on elder statesmen like Olanipekun whose lives exemplify leadership, professionalism and philanthropy.
Speaking at the event, Olanipekun stressed the importance of sacrifice and service in leadership, saying true leadership is measured by what individuals give back to society. He urged residents and political leaders in Ikere-Ekiti to work collectively for the progress of the community and expressed concern over growing apathy toward communal development efforts.
Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, described Olanipekun as a benefactor, father figure and one of the greatest ambassadors of Ekiti State. He praised the legal luminary for consistently remembering his roots and investing heavily in the development of Ekiti State through donations to educational institutions, healthcare facilities, religious organisations and professional bodies.
