Ladapo Kolade
Traditional rulers of Epe, Ajiran, Iru, Ikate inagos State Health District III have given their royal blessing to the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Monsurat Adeleke in support of her plan to improve health care in the district.
Speaking during the visits of the permanent secretary to their palaces, they promised to cooperate and ensure her success.
The Permanent Secretary of Lagos State Health District III, Dr. Monsurat Adeleke had solicited the support of traditional rulers within the District covering Eti-Osa, Ibeju-Lekki, Epe and environs in extending quality healthcare to residents of the areas, especially those living in the hinterlands and riverine communities.
She made the appeal during separate visits to the Elegushi of Ikate Kingdom, Oba Saheed Elegushi; the Oniru of Iruland, Oba Gbolahan Lawal; the Ojomu of Ajiranland, Oba Tijani Adetunji Akinloye; the Onibeju of Ibeju Kingdom, Oba Waliu Rasaq and the Oloja of Epe Kingdom, Oba Kamorudeen Ishola Animashaun.
Dr. Adeleke, whose visit to the Elegushi of Ikate Kingdom coincided with the celebration of this year’s Ejiwa Elegba Festival celebration in Ikate, took advantage of the visit to discuss plans to improve primary health in Ikate Kingdom and Health District III as a whole.
The Permanent Secretary, while at the palace of Oniru, appreciated the traditional ruler for taking up the upgrade of Oniru PHC, expressing optimism that with the support and influence of all traditional rulers within the District, the task of extending healthcare to unreached areas would be seamless as there will be cooperation from the populace.
Adeleke also thanked the Ojomu of Ajiranland, for initiating a visionary collaboration with Total Energies and Chevron, which led to the construction of the emerging Ajiran Primary Health Centre, revealing that the traditional ruler facilitated the convergence of healthcare innovation and cultural heritage for Ajiran town.
According to her, “With the support and influence of our traditional rulers, I’m certain that we will significantly and positively influence the health of our population”.
During the Permanent Secretary’s visit to the Onibeju of Ibeju Kingdom, Oba Waliu Rasaq, Dr Adeleke, was received by the Royal Father alongside the Executive Chairman of Ibeju Lekki LCDA, Hon. Abdullahi Sesan Olowa where both the Onibeju and Hon. Olowa expressed their unwavering support for the mission to enhance primary healthcare services in the local communities.
The Permanent Secretary also visited the recently refurbished Ayeteju Primary Health Centre, a project overseen by the Executive Chairman of the Council as part of an assessment tour of health facilities within Ibeju-Lekki and its environs.
While in Epe, Dr. Adeleke specifically appreciated Oba Animashaun for his unwavering assurance of support for an upgraded community-based Primary Healthcare Center (PHC) within his domain and for also extending a helping hand to enhance the centre’s services.
Dr Adeleke acknowledged the dedication displayed by the staff of the newly refurbished PHC through the support of Oba Animashaun in Epe, saying that the health officers were performing their functions of offering crucial healthcare services in an undeniably motivating manner.
In her words, “The unwavering commitment of health officers at this facility and this gesture of refurbishing this particular PHC by the Military through our Royal Father, underscores the critical importance of having a robust healthcare infrastructure for the prosperity of the community, which is in tandem with the Greater Lagos Rising Vision of Mr. Governor.
“In essence, I embarked on these visits with the primary objective of getting the support of all Traditional Rulers by fostering a sense of community engagement and inclusivity. With the united endorsement of community leaders across various domains, I am confident in our ability to create a significant and positive impact on the health and well-being of our citizens”, the Permanent Secretary stated.
