The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, has approved the upgrading of the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Ido-Ekiti, to a Federal Teaching Hospital and the use of the upgraded hospital for the clinical training of Medical students and allied health professionals of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti.
The letter of approval with Reference Number HMH/ABJ/450/Vol. IV/152 dated October 15, 2014 and signed by the immediate past Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, said the approval will be for a period of 10 years as stipulated in the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Government and the Management of the University.
A similar letter to the Chairman, Board of Management of the FMC, Ido-Ekiti, by the former Minister urged him (the Chairman) to “kindly ensure that all necessary actions are carried out to actualize Mr. President’s approvals”.
In tandem with global practice where universities use thoroughly established and well-grounded hospitals as training centres for their clinical students, Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD) applied to the Federal Government for the upgrading of FMC, Ido-Ekiti for the use as Clinical training centre for its medical students just like the University of Ibadan is using Adeoyo Hospital and Gombe University is currently using Gombe FMC as their Clinical Training Centres.
After the initial visit by the NUC, the Regulatory Body for University Education in Nigeria, was of the opinion that there was a yawning need to upgrade the facilities at the FMC to meet the standards of a Teaching Hospital for the training of Medical students. This prompted ABUAD to engage in massive infrastructural development of the FMC as a result of which it has so far put the following structures worth over N2 billion were put in place: prestigious three-storey male and female fostels, dining hall, library, four fully-equipped laboratories, well-furnished classrooms, auditorium and sporting facilities.
Today, the FMC is now wearing a new, elegant, and totally different look befitting of a Teaching Hospital.
Having satisfied the NUC requirement, ABUAD obtained NUC and Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) approval to commence Medical programme after both had certified that by virtue of ABUAD’s investment in FMC, the place was suitable for clinical studies. After this clean bill by the NUC and the MDCN, the immediate past Minister of Health, Prof. C. O. Onyebuchi Chukwu, set up a committee to assess the suitability of the FMC, Ido-Ekiti, for clinical studies.
Like the NUC and the MDCN, the Ministerial Committee found the place suitable after which the Minister recommended an approval of the MOU between the University and the FMC for the commencement of the university’s clinical studies at the FMC.
Reacting to the approval yesterday, the Founder and President Emeritus of the University, Aare Afe Babalola, SAN, was thrilled and elated that his modest efforts at bringing about quality, functional and reformatory education in Nigeria has brought so much excitement to the entire Ekiti community.
His words: “We are pleased and excited to receive the approval of the MoU between the FMC, Ido-Ekiti and our University. We are indeed very grateful to the President Jonathan, the immediate past Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, Dr. Onwundiwe, the Director of Clinical Services in the Federal Ministry of Health, the former Chief Justice of the Federation, Hon. Justice Alfa Belgore, Elder Edwin Clark, Secretary to the Federal Government and Senator Anyim Pius Anyim as well as Dr. Belgore for their roles in securing this approval”.
He added: ”The waiting period between when the letter of approval was written on October 15, 2014 and the time we received it yesterday generated anxiety and concern for us, the parents and the students. We appreciate the help and contributions of well-meaning Nigerians, our friends and well-wishers.
“The achievement is indeed historic and groundbreaking feat. We have been able to achieve what it takes some other universities between 15-20 years to achieve in less than five years. We will continue to set enviable records and within the shortest possible time, we will give to Nigerian and Nigerians the best Medical College in Nigeria and compete with others in the global space. What we have achieved so far is only the beginning. With divine help and hard work on our part, and the goodwill of friends and partners, we will get to our destination-the very top…the place of excellence”.
(Ends)