Edo State-born billionaire philanthropist, Dr. Leemon Ikpea, has donated a 62-bed ultramodern hospital to his Ewatto community in Esan South-East Local Government Area of Edo State.
The hospital which is located at Idumu – Iyase in Ewatto was commissioned on Monday, 19 October by Governor Monday Okpebholo and the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate.
Ikpea said the facility was established to improve healthcare delivery for residents of Ewatto and neighbouring communities.
The philanthropist, who is Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Agbonjagwe Leemon Ikpea Foundation (ALI), said the 62-bed medical centre was equipped with modern facilities to provide quality healthcare services. He added that the facility would serve as an annex to Irrua Specialist Hospital.
Describing the hospital as a collective asset belonging to the community, Ikpea stressed the need for its protection to ensure its continued availability for healthcare delivery.
He appealed to community leaders, residents and security agencies to take collective responsibility for safeguarding the hospital, its equipment and buildings against damage and vandalism.
Ikpea also urged residents to support the Edo State Government’s efforts to improve healthcare services across the state, expressing optimism that the facility would make a meaningful contribution to the wellbeing of the people.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Governor Okpebholo commended Ikpea for establishing the 62-bed ultramodern medical centre in Ewatto, describing the investment as a demonstration of the importance of private-sector participation in strengthening healthcare delivery.
The governor reiterated that government alone could not meet the healthcare needs of the population, urging well-meaning individuals and organisations to emulate Ikpea by investing in projects that would improve residents’ welfare.
He also charged the management of the medical centre and the healthcare professionals who would work there to maintain high standards of patient care.
Okpebholo urged the people of Ewatto to protect the facility and make proper use of it, describing it as a valuable asset that should be preserved for the benefit of present and future generations.
Recalling his administration’s efforts to strengthen the state’s healthcare system, the governor said it had recruited more than 2,000 healthcare workers “to boost our workforce, and upgrade over 65 primary healthcare centres across the three Senatorial districts of the state.”
He added: “Government alone cannot do it. We need private-sector partners and other individuals to complement public sector investments. Ikpea has set a good record, and I encourage other well-meaning individuals and organisations to emulate him.
“I charge the management of Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital and the medical professionals who will serve here to uphold the highest standards of patient care.
“To the people of Ewatto, protect this facility and make good use of it. Let it become a place of hope and healing” Governor Okpebholo enjoined.
The governor also assured the community that his administration would mobilise the contractor back to site to complete the ongoing construction of the Ewatto-Udo Road “now that the dry season is fast approaching.”
Similarly, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Pate, commended Ikpea, the Agbonjagwe Leemon Ikpea Foundation and his family for investing in healthcare infrastructure to serve Ewatto and surrounding communities.
Pate described the project as a source of pride for the community and Edo State, noting that access to quality healthcare was essential to the development of any society.
He said a healthy population was better positioned to contribute to economic growth, adding that farmers, teachers, children and other members of society stood to benefit when healthcare services were accessible and effective.
The minister called on wealthy Nigerians and private-sector organisations to partner with the Federal and state governments to expand healthcare infrastructure and improve service delivery across the country.
He reiterated that such partnerships would complement public-sector investments and support efforts to transform Nigeria’s healthcare system.