Indigenes of Akure in Ondo State 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) to support the school’s medical training.
The intervention follows the Federal Government’s approval for the establishment of a teaching hospital for the university in December 2024, with operations commencing in October 2025.
The Ondo State Government had earlier provided the University of Medical Sciences complex in Akure for the take-off of the teaching hospital pending completion of its permanent site.
Speaking at the inauguration on Wednesday, Chairman of the Central Community Planning Committee on the FUTA Teaching Hospital, Olufemi Oyinsan, said the projects marked another milestone.
He said: “A strong medical college became the foundation upon which our demand stood.”
Oyinsan commended Reuben Fasoranti and Sunday Abegunde, among others, for supporting the project
He said: “At a crucial time when the project needed lifeline support, these individuals stepped in.
“Hon. Abegunde, in particular, funded well over 50 per cent of the laboratory equipment we are commissioning today.”
Abegunde, in his remarks, described the gesture as a collective effort.
He said: “This recognition is not about me alone; it represents a shared vision for progress, education, and investment in our future.”
He added: “No nation can rise above the standard of its healthcare, and that standard depends on how well its professionals are trained.”
The Vice-Chancellor, Adenike Oladiji, said the facilities would improve training conditions.
She said: “The FUTA MBBS programme commenced in 2021 after due resource verification.
“However, the basic laboratory and teaching hospital required for the programme were not available.”
She added: “The challenge of securing a teaching hospital persisted until Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa brought together the state government, the Akure community, and the management of FUTA for deliberations.”
Oladiji said: “Let me use this opportunity to thank His Excellency for his magnanimity and public-spiritedness, which made this possible.
“It marked a significant step towards securing full accreditation for our MBBS programme.”
She added: “Medical training is highly specialised.
“We are preparing professionals who will be entrusted with the health and well-being of others.”
The Deji of Akure, Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi, said quality training is critical to the success of the teaching hospital.
He said: “Without proper training and qualified graduates, the teaching hospital cannot function effectively.”
