By; BAYO AKAMO, Ibadan.
Governor Abiola Ajimobi has disclosed that Oyo State is still the largest producer of cassava in Nigeria and crucial to the prosperity and economic well-being of the country.
The governor stated this in Ibadan at the handing over ceremony of the refurbished Maternal Ward of the Adeoyo Maternity Teaching Hospital, Yemetu, Ibadan, by the MTN Foundation Maternal Ward Support project.
He said Oyo state with its position on the contiguous location to Lagos, the economic nerve centre of the country, and as the gateway to the other parts of the country, especially the Northern part and its vast potential and strategic location, is no doubt crucial to the prosperity and economic well-being of Nigeria.
According to Governor Ajimobi, Oyo state aside being the largest producer of cassava in Nigeria, had the largest concentration of agricultural research institutes as well as vast arable land and blessed with human and material resources, all of which had put it in a good stead to be a destination of choice for investors.
While urging corporate organizations in Nigeria to key into the public-private-partnership initiative of his administration to give back to the society, as well as to improve the living standard of the common people, he said “the greatest form of Godliness is service to humanity and MTN deserves commendation for putting up the project in spite of the challenging times.
“MTN has done its best to uphold the legacy of this hospital by putting up this project here and in three other health facilities across the state. I use this opportunity to challenge other corporate organizations to partner the government in the areas of education and health. If they can do this the country will be a better place for all of us to live in.’’
Speaking at the ceremony, the Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole while appreciating the MTN Foundation’s gestures,
declared that the time has come for corporate organizations to support government than now.
Represented by the Chief Medical Director of the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Prof. Temitope Alonge, the Minister lauded the courage and resilience of the state government in improving healthcare delivery.
Oyo State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Azeez Adeduntan in his welcome speech reiterated the importance of maternal healthcare, especially at a period when Nigeria was facing economic hardship and echoed the call for PPP on health and other important sectors of the society.
“We can now see the importance of PPP in the health sector. We appreciate the MTN Foundation for fulfilling its corporate social responsibility by assisting us in reducing maternal mortality through this project. It is noteworthy that maternal mortality in Nigeria is 165 out of every 100,000 due to lack of access to basic necessities. Today, countries are no more judged by their per capita income, but by their maternal mortality rate and support towards reducing infant mortality” he stressed.
