By Toba Ajayi
Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara says the newly established Thomas Adewumi University Teaching Hospital (TAUTH), Omu-Aran, will promote medical education and improve access to quality healthcare delivery in Kwara South.

AbdulRazaq, represented by his deputy, Mr Kayode Alabi, said this on Wednesday in Omu-Aran, Irepodun Local Government Area, at the foundation-laying ceremony of the teaching hospital.

He described the establishment of the facility as a significant step toward decentralising tertiary healthcare services and reducing the pressure on centrally located hospitals.

“Today marks another milestone as we witness the establishment of the first teaching hospital in Kwara South,” he said.

The governor said the initiative was conceived and actualised through a strategic partnership between the Kwara Government and Thomas Adewumi University.

“By upgrading this healthcare infrastructure, we are enhancing the capacity for medical training and bringing medical services closer to the people of Omu-Aran and Kwara State at large,” he said.

He said the development would ultimately contribute to reducing morbidity and preventable deaths across communities in the state.

The governor commended the founder, management, staff and students of the university for their commitment to excellence in science, technology and medicine, describing them as worthy partners in the development of the state.

AbdulRazaq urged the host community to embrace the project and sustain the peaceful and supportive environment required for its successful implementation.

“As we lay this foundation today, let us remember that we are building more than bricks and mortar; we are building a healthier, brighter and more enduring legacy for generations of Kwarans to come,” he said.

Earlier, the Founder and Chancellor of the university, Mr Johnson Adewumi, said the teaching hospital would serve as a centre of excellence in clinical care, medical education and research for the people of Kwara South and beyond.

Adewumi said the ceremony marked the commencement of a comprehensive upgrade of the former General Hospital, Omu-Aran, to the standard of a university teaching hospital in line with the requirements of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) and the National Universities Commission (NUC).

He disclosed that the Kwara Government and Thomas Adewumi University signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in April 2025, designating the General Hospital, Omu-Aran, as the university’s teaching hospital.

He described the agreement as a milestone for tertiary healthcare development and medical education in Kwara South.

According to him, the hospital remains the property of the Kwara Government, while the university serves as a partner in efforts to improve its facilities and services.

The founder called on individuals, private organisations and institutions to support the project.

He said the hospital would create employment opportunities, support local suppliers and strengthen the economy of Omu-Aran and neighbouring communities.

Adewumi added that the facility would provide specialist and emergency medical services closer to residents, reducing the need for families to travel long distances to access treatment.

In his remarks, Oba Yahaya Alebiosu, the Chairman of the Kwara South Traditional Council and Olupo of Ajase-Ipo, described the project as a significant development for the region.

He urged residents to emulate the founder’s gesture, adding that government could not shoulder the responsibility of development alone without the support of the community.

Also speaking, the Kwara Commissioner for Health, Dr Amina El-Imam, said healthcare development was a collective responsibility, describing the founder’s initiative as an example of private-sector participation in the health sector.

She urged residents and other stakeholders to support the actualisation and completion of the project.

El-Imam assured the university of government’s support, saying AbdulRazaq remained committed to infrastructure development and extending the dividends of democracy to communities at the grassroots.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the first phase of the TAUTH project is estimated to cost N3.53 billion.(NAN)
Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz