Former governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has lamented the insensitivity of the Oyo State Government to the plight of the people by failing to provide their basic needs.
Tinubu made the remark at Omio-Adio under Iddo Local Government of Oyo State, South-West Nigeria during the weekend at the official commissioning of a Cottage Hospital built by a legal luminary, Chief Adeniyi Akintola.
The hospital built at the cost of N70 million was donated to the Baptist Church.
The astute politician noted that it was an act of irresponsibility that a government would not deem it fit to provide adequate medical care for its people, stressing that the absence of good health will result in poor quality of life.
According to him, “To every good government, people must be its cornerstone. It is sad that for twenty miles radius, there is no single community health centre or any type of health centre that can cater for a mother and a child and you claim that you have a government in this state. If I must be sincere with you, you don’t have a government in Oyo State.â€
Pointing out that there is no community in Lagos that is not feeling government presence, he tasked Nigerians to question their leaders about how they are spending their money, reiterating that without transparency, accountability and good governance, there cannot be any meaningful development.
Tinubu stated, “Where is the allocation of local government? How are they spending it? I call on the Oyo State Government to do better otherwise we will soon send them away.â€
The Chairman of the occasion, Justice Muhammadu Lawal Uwais lauded Chief Akintola for donating a hospital to his community, saying that he has contributed immensely to the humanity.
He described Akintola as a philanthropist and a kind hearted person whose contribution would not be forgotten in the judiciary, politics and humanity.
Uwais traced the genesis of cottage hospital to England, saying that the first cottage hospital was established in 1827 to provide free medical services for common people, adding that between 1859 and 1866, cottage hospital had risen to sixteen.
Uwais affirmed that though there are community hospitals established by the Nigerian government, for an individual to establish a hospital it is commendable.
The event recorded its ugly side as handsets belonging to Mr. Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) and some journalists were stolen by hoodlums.
Other dignitaries in attendance were: present and past presidents of the, Nigeria Bar Association, NBA, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, Oyo State Chief Judge, Honourable Justice Teju Adeniji Badejoko, Ekarun of Ibadanland, High Chief Olufemi Olaifa representing Olubadan of Ibadanland, His Royal Majesty, Oba Samuel Odulana Odugade 1, former Ambassador to Ghana, Mrs. Ronke Adefowope, a business mogul, Chief Kola Daisi, CON, Oyo State Chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Comrade Bahiru Apapa, at least fifty Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SANs, Oyo State Commissioner for Health, Ahaji Yusuff Akande and his deputy, and Chief Dosu Babatunde.
Meanwhile, Justice Waheed Olaifa of the Oyo State High Court sitting in Ring Road, Ibadan, has fixed August 2, 2010 for the judgment over a suit brought before it by erstwhile Governor of Oyo State, Senator Rasheed Ladoja asking that the court should restrain Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala of Oyo State from probing his six last months in office.
Justice Olaifa fixed the ruling after the counsels to representing the two parties adopted their written addresses. While Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) through Seun Ajayi first adopted his written address on behalf of Alao-Akala Lasun Lasis representing Ladoja followed suit.
Justice Waheed stated that the judgment would be fast.
Governor Akala last year set up a Judicial Commission of Enquiry to investigate the award of contracts and other financial transactions undertaken between December 1, 2006 to May 31, 2007 in Oyo State. But, Ladoja challenged Akala’s government over its decision to probe the last six months of his administration.
Ladoja, in the suit, is seeking an injunction to stop the justice Akintunde Boade-led panel of enquiry from probing him.
Members of the probe panel are: Justice Akintunde Boade, chairman; Engineer Olawale Olagunju, Mr. Oyedapo Oyebade, Mr. Hamzat Sule, legal adviser and Mr. Moses Akangbe, secretary.
—Gbenro Adesina/Ibadan
