Governor Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State has announced that the Esther Oyebanji Foundation, named after his late mother, will support ongoing infrastructure projects at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, and sponsor some indigent medical students at the institution.
Ekiti News reports that the support is aimed to help these students achieve their dreams of becoming medical doctors, which might otherwise be hindered due to their inability to pay school fees.
The Governor revealed this during the induction into the medical profession of the University of Ibadan 2024 set of medical graduates at the University College Hospital, (UCH), Ibadan on Saturday.
Governor Oyebanji, whose daughter, Dr Toluwanimi Oyebanji, was one of the newly inducted doctors, pledged to personally sponsor some indigent medical students, based on the request to parents by the Provost of the College of Medicine, Prof Olayinka Omigbodun at the event.
The Provost had urged parents and well-meaning Nigerians to support the college and assist indigent but brilliant students struggling to complete the six-year medical program.
Moved by this request, the Governor announced that, in addition to supporting the college, his late mother’s foundation would sponsor some of these indigent but brilliant students.
Governor Oyebanji said, “I will make a personal donation to support the College and I will also get my late mother’s foundation to support the college and also sponsor some indigent but brilliant students of the College so they can realize their dreams. Whatever we do will be on the name of the 2024 set.“
Recall that an ultra modern maternity centre – Abiyamo Esther Oyebanji Maternity Ward, built inside the premises of the General Hospital, Aramoko- Ekiti by the Governor and his siblings in memory of their mother was inaugurated for use earlier in the month, as part of activities of the Foundation.
While congratulating the new doctors, the Governor urged them to contribute their knowledge and expertise to the development of the healthcare system in the country.
Governor Oyebanji added, “I don’t want to advise you not to seek greener pastures abroad. But, like your lecturers have advised, it is important you acquire more knowledge and expertise and deploy such to the development of the country. The places we travel to were developed by some people. So, let us also develop our country.
“The University has given you its best. You should also give back to the system. You should endeavour to contribute your quota to the development of the health care system in the country.”
The induction ceremony was attended by the First Lady, Dr Olayemi Oyebanji; the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Prof Kayode Adebowale; faculty members and representatives of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA).