The Owonikoko Foundation has further demonstrated its commitment to community development and improved healthcare delivery with the donation of a newly completed Medical Laboratory Building to the General Hospital, Iseyin, Oyo State. The modern facility, which is expected to enhance diagnostic services and improve access to quality healthcare for residents of Iseyin and adjoining communities, was formally commissioned on Friday, August 14, 2026, by the Permanent Secretary of the Oyo State Hospital Management Board, Dr. Anifat Ibrahim, at a colourful ceremony held within the hospital premises.
Speaking on the significance of the project, the Project Facilitator, Princess Adewumi Adedapo-Ismail, said the initiative was conceived to strengthen healthcare delivery at the General Hospital, Iseyin, while providing the facility with improved capacity to meet the diagnostic needs of patients. She expressed optimism that with sustained support and development, the hospital would eventually attain the status of a state hospital, thereby enabling more residents to access specialised medical treatment within Iseyin and reducing the need for patients to seek referrals and treatment outside Oyo State.
Presenting the building to the management of the hospital on behalf of the family of the late Alhaji Kazeem Omosalewa Owonikoko and Alhaja Juweirah Owonikoko, Alhaji Waheed Shittu Owonikoko said the donation was a further demonstration of the family’s commitment to sustaining and advancing the community development ideals of their late parents. He recalled that the General Hospital, Iseyin, was among the developmental initiatives pioneered by the late Alhaji Kazeem Omosalewa Owonikoko and a few other prominent leaders of Iseyin during his lifetime, stressing that the family considered it a responsibility to contribute to the continued growth and development of an institution that formed part of their father’s enduring legacy.
The Aseyin of Iseyinland, who is also the Vice Chairman of Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs, Oba (Dr.) Sefiu Olawale Oyebola Adeyeri III, Ajirotutu I, lauded the children of the late Alhaji Kazeem Omosalewa Owonikoko for being worthy ambassadors of their highly patriotic father.
“I want to enjoin all parents in Iseyinland to take the education of their children seriously so that they can be useful to themselves, their parents even after their demise, and to the community at large, as demonstrated by the children of our late patriotic father, Alhaji Owonikoko”, the monarch stated
He, however, urged other indigenes of Iseyinland, both at home and in the diaspora, to support the General Hospital with necessary facilities, particularly medical equipment to enhance quality healthcare service delivery.
The traditional ruler thereafter offered prayers for the repose of the souls of late Alhaji Kazeem Omosalewa Owonikoko. He also prayed that, Almighty God in His infinite mercy grant his wife, Alhaja Juweirah Owonikoko long life in sound health with abundance prosperity.
He specially prayed for the wonderful children and the family at large that God will continue His protection over them with abundance prosperity beyond expectation
“Because their father was good and had a passion for the growth and development of the land, the Lord has blessed him with highly responsible and patriotic children. I pray to God to make them wax stronger and stronger,” the Aseyin prayed.
Responding, the Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Dr. F. O. Oyewumi, expressed his deep gratitude to the foundation for its thoughtfulness which led to the successful completion of the project which is now ready for use by the people of Iseyin Local Government and environs.
Describing Iseyin as unique in partnering with government to improve healthcare delivery, Dr. Oyewumi said the hospital management would remain grateful not only to the Owonikoko Foundation but also to the traditional ruler, the Aseyin of Iseyinland, who donated facilities worth millions of naira to the hospital as part of activities in commemoration of his second coronation anniversary.
Dr Oyewumi added that the Aseyin also donated a huge sum of money for the reconnection of electricity to ensure smooth operations at the hospital.
He joyfully disclosed that the management had approved the naming of the newly commissioned medical laboratory building as “Owonikoko Laboratory Building.”
Dr. Oyewumi, however, enjoined the people of Iseyin Local Government to emulate the gesture of the Owonikoko Foundation by contributing to the growth development of their community.
Towards the end of the colourful ceremony, a letter of appreciation was formally presented to the Owonikoko Foundation on behalf of the Oyo State Hospital Management Board.
Present at the landmark event were the Alado of Ado-Awaye, Oba Rev’d Ademola Olugbile Folakanmi; His Royal Majesty, Oba Amidu Adewale Okunlola, the Alawaye of Awaye; Prince Isiaka Adeoti, Prince Diekola Azeez, and virtually all the traditional Chiefs
The event was also attended by representatives of the Oyo State Government, leadership of the Iseyin Development Union, led by the President, Alhaji Toyin Azeez, the Iseyin Council of Societies, artisans, trade associations, and other guests too numerous to mention.
