ONDO COMMUNITY DONATES 50-BED HOSTEL, LAB TO FUTA MEDICAL TRAINING

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By: Tajudeen Aminat

Indigenes of Akure, the Ondo State capital, have donated a 50-bed hostel and an ultra-modern medical laboratory to the College of Health Sciences of the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), in support of medical training at the institution.

Following the Federal Government’s approval for the establishment of a teaching hospital for the university on December 16, 2024, the facility began operations on October 24, 2025.

Earlier, the Ondo State Government had handed over the University of Medical Sciences complex in Akure to serve as the take-off site for the teaching hospital, pending the completion of its permanent location.

Speaking at the inauguration of the projects on the university campus on Wednesday, an Akure indigene and Chairman of the Central Community Planning Committee on the FUTA Teaching Hospital, Dr. Olufemi Oyinsan, described the development as another major step toward establishing a fully functional teaching hospital in the city.

Oyinsan explained that the establishment of the College of Health Sciences at FUTA was key to securing approval for the teaching hospital, noting that a strong medical college formed the basis of the request.

He also praised elder statesman and Afenifere leader, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, as well as the Executive Director (Corporate Services) of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Sunday Abegunde, along with other notable sons and daughters of Akure, for their contributions toward achieving the approval.

“At a critical stage when the project needed support, these individuals stepped in. Hon. Abegunde, in particular, funded more than 50 per cent of the laboratory equipment being commissioned today,” Oyinsan said.

In his remarks, Abegunde expressed appreciation for the honour of naming the laboratory after him, noting that it reflects a collective community effort rather than a personal accomplishment.

“This recognition is not about me alone; it represents a shared vision for progress, education, and investment in our future,” he said.

Emphasising the importance of quality training in strengthening the healthcare system, Abegunde said, “No nation can rise above the standard of its healthcare, and that standard depends on the quality of training its professionals receive.”

In her remarks, the Vice-Chancellor of FUTA, Prof. Adenike Oladiji, commended the donors and other stakeholders for their contributions to the successful completion of the projects, noting that the new facilities would create a conducive environment for student training and support the teaching hospital.

She explained, “The FUTA MBBS programme began in 2021 after a successful resource verification. However, essential facilities such as a basic laboratory and a teaching hospital were lacking.

“The issue of securing a teaching hospital persisted until Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa brought together the state government, the Akure community, and FUTA management for discussions, which led to the conversion of the State Specialist Hospital, Akure, into the FUTA Teaching Hospital.

“Let me take this opportunity to thank His Excellency for his generosity and public-spiritedness, which made this possible. It marked a major step toward securing full accreditation for our MBBS programme.”

“Medical training is highly specialised. We are preparing professionals who will be responsible for the health and wellbeing of others. The Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria upholds strict standards, including mandatory hostel accommodation near the teaching hospital, which is non-negotiable,” he said.

The Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi, also stressed the need to properly equip the College of Health Sciences, noting that the effectiveness of the teaching hospital depends largely on the quality of its graduates.

“Without adequate training and well-qualified graduates, the teaching hospital cannot function effectively,” the monarch said.