The Vice Chancellor, University of Ibadan, Prof. Kayode Adebowale, the Chief Medical Director, UCH Ibadan, Prof. Jesse Otegbayo, the Provost, College of Medicine, Prof. Olayinka Omigbodun and the Oyo State Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ademola Babalola on Monday paid glowing tributes to the Chairman and Founder, Ibadan Central Hospital and Academy Suites, Dr. Abib Olamitoye who clocked 66years on Monday.
Olamitoye, a medical doctor, philanthropist and author of many motivational, business and entrepreneurial books on Monday commissioned a building he constructed for the NUJ at the Iyaganku Press Centre, Ibadan.
The NUJ Chairman Ademola Babalola and his executives were full of thanks to Olamitoye for the gesture, promising to make good use of the new building named Abib Olamitoye Centre.
Olamitoye on same Monday marked the one year after, that he adopted a UCH Southwest Ward to advance the cause of humanity and medical supports to the patients at the UCH.
The UI Vice Chancellor represented at the special birthday party in honour of the celebrant by his Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academics), Prof. Nike Bayeroju described Olamitoye as a distinguished Nigeria and philanthropist who is supporting the UI, UCH and other human endeavors to improve the quality of education and the lives of patients.
According to Prof. Kayode Adebowale, “I am grateful for the privilege to share a few remarks on this occasion, marking the first anniversary of the Abib Olamitoye Foundation Ward in the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan.
“Dr. Abib Olamitoye has always served his alma mater, the University of Ibadan, and the College of Medicine in many capacities that have contributed to its growth in the past few years. More than contributing to its growth, he has consistently galvanized the efforts of other alumni to ensure that they also give back to the school. We are very proud of his efforts and his resultant contributions to the school and to society at large. We are indeed proud of his achievements in supporting the UCH through the adoption of the South West 3 Ward, which was renamed the Abib Olamitoye Foundation Ward.
“In this regard, I would like to draw your attention to the University College Hospital, which has enjoyed great goodwill from all its Ibadan College of Medicine Alumni Association Members (ICOMAA) worldwide. I must mention that Dr. Abib Olamitoye was a former President of ICOMAA Worldwide, and he served in this capacity for 4 years. He has consistently enjoined all members of the association who had enjoyed God’s blessings to come back to contribute to
improving the standard of the College of Medicine and to also meet with the CMD on how to adopt a ward in UCH. If his example is followed, there would be no ward in UCH that would not enjoy regular funding from the alumni.
“Dr. Abib Olamitoye has made some improvements to the ABIB OLAMITOYE Foundation Ward, among which are the installation of Solar Inverter Alternate Power Supply, repair of the toilets, and provision of several medical equipment among others. We believe that this initiative will go a long way in providing quality healthcare services to the university community and the larger society.
As we celebrate this occasion, I would like to seize the moment and wish Olamitoye, the visionary behind the Abib Olamitoye Foundation (AOF) ward, a very happy birthday. We wish you a long life and prosperity.
“In conclusion, I would like to thank everyone who has made this event a success. Dr. Abib Olamitoye has made it easy for us to believe in a better future for our institutions.
The UCH CMD Prof Jesse Otegbayo said, the Southwest Ward 3 adopted by Dr. ABIB OLAMITOYE is now a model and indeed a blessing to the hospital.
He said, “Today, I have not come back to support the University College Hospital as a philanthropist, I am a privileged son who has returned to pay a portion of my debt. I am here to thank my teachers and celebrate my mentors for providing strength when I was weak, for the tutelage, for the right direction and the gainful destiny.
“This statement speaks volume of the kind of spirit that should drive our alumni spread across the globe. The priceless contributions of lecturers, the worthwhile learning experience and competitive edge our graduates possess is what brings them back to support the institution.
“Your contributions to advancing learning and research in the University of Ibadan and the University College Hospital by attracting funding were numerous. This is because you know that government alone can not fund its agencies and parastatals adequately.
“Harvard University is funded, in part, by an endowment. The endowment includes thousands of philanthropic gifts donated since Harvard’s early history, many of which given to support specific aspects of Harvard’s teaching and research work. These Donor contributions to the endowment have enabled leading financial aid programs, groundbreaking discoveries in scientific research.
“All alumni must therefore, find ways to support their Alma Mata matter. We must make our old school become perennially young in spirit and substance. All reputable institutions, all over the world, always derive their strength from the combined power of their alumni.
“Ladies and gentlemen, I will not conclude my speech without stating that following the ward adoption last year, the University College Hospital has received numerous support from the Abib Olamitoye Foundation. This comes from the supply of the following item to the ward.
“Solar inverters, Water Storage Tank, Wheel Chairs, Mobile Sphygmomanometers, Standing Weighing Scales and Bed Pans. May i also state that we are awaiting the defibrillators in the ward and i know very soon, we will receive them.
“Ladies and gentlemen, I thank our benefactor Dr. Abib Olamitoye and his foundation. Long live the University College Hospital, Ibadan. And long live the Abib Olamitoye Foundation Amen,” the UCH CMD said.
