Kunle Adelabu
-Warns residents against second wave of COVID 19 pandemic
First Permanent Vice Chairman, Lagos State Council of Obas and Chiefs and the Ayangbure of Ikorodu Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Oba (Engr.) Kabir Adewale Shotobi, has commended the Medical Director/Chief Executive Officer of the General Hospital, Ikorodu, Dr Taiwo Hassan, for quality service delivery and the massive turnaround going on in the hospital.
The royal father also commended the state government for providing an enabling environment for staff and patients at the hospital.
There have been tremendous changes in the hospital, especially as it regards structures, facilities and service delivery in the recent time.
Aside the general face-lifting of the hospital, the Accident and Emergency section of the hospital has been refurbished and equipped; there have also been provision of piped central oxygen supply to various wards and well – planned car parks for staff and visitors.
There have also been procurement of diagnostic equipment, dental chairs, upgrading of theatre, and procurement of anesthetic machines among others.
Oba Shotobi gave the commendation at a special reception he was accorded during his visit to the hospital on January 1 to present cash and gifts to the first baby born in 2021.
“Our usual traditional way of visiting the General hospital was to visit the First Baby of the year, take photographs and go away, but today is unique because after presentation of gifts to the first baby, we are here gathered at the new conference room”, the royal father stated.
“This is very unique and I want to thank Dr Hassan for ensuring that the General Hospital has a place to accommodate us.
“We have seen a great turn – around of facilities here and how staff and patients are being well taken care.
“I am very overwhelmed for the reception of today. We are here sitting comfortably to discuss what had happened in this hospital before and also project into the future. I pray that good things will happen in the course of performing our duties”.
The monarch was also full of commendations for the staff of the major health facility in the state for cooperating with their Medical Director in providing quality medical services in Ikorodu, adding that there are rewards for hard work and service to humanity.
“I want to sincerely thank all the members of the team that are giving the Medical Director necessary support and ensuring that residents are getting adequate services”, the royal father commended them.
“He (Dr Hassan) has shown that he is a good manager and you have also shown that you are a capable team. You people have formed a formidable team that has been wonderful. Every one of you too will have your rainy day. Whatever that you are doing today, don’t think that you are doing it for anybody but for yourself.
“When Dr Hassan was Deputy to Dr Olukoya, he did not know that a day would come when he too would be incharge. Today, he’s reaping all that he sowed then.
“For Dr Olukoya and Dr Idowu, former Medical Directors/Chief Executive Officers of the General Hospital, Ikorodu, it shows that he is doing very well and carrying his predecessors along”.
He appealed to members of the hospital management and staff to continue being loyal to their boss, stating that they too will attain a position of prominence and will require loyalty from their subordinates.
“Endeavour to call his(Dr Hassan) attention whenever you notice any shortcoming from him and if there is no change afterwards, call somebody close to him or call him directly in order to talk to him because nobody is above mistakes.
“Henceforth, I want to be coming to the General Hospital to check on you and exchange banters not to come and settle crisis like we had experienced in the recent past.
“Continue to work like a team and a family and I can assure that you will reap the fruits of your labour”.
He prayed that doctors and other medical staff in Ikorodu and Lagos State as a whole will not contact Coronavirus and other diseases in line of duty.
Oba Shotobi, who stated that he has seen the effects of COVID – 19, charged residents to be conscious of their health.
He also commended the hospital management and the Lagos State Government for the role they played when he was indisposed and the way government has been able to manage the effects of the ravaging Coronavirus.
“I have seen what COVID – 19 is and I also know the impact played by the hospital and what Dr Hassan in his personal capacity did to ensure my survival”, Oba Shotobi said.
“I want to thank him specially and his team.
“I also want to thank the Lagos State Government greatly for the establishment of the isolation centres to take good care of victims.
“We are now witnessing the second phase of the COVID 19 pandemic. This disease is real and we have to protect ourselves. We should stop taking things for granted and God in His infinite mercy will protect us”, the royal father warned.
“I appeal to you all to be conscious of your health. This is a pandemic that is ravaging the world and it is not peculiar to Lagos or Nigeria alone.
“There are now new variants of the virus in the U.K or other places.
“We are all living witnesses to all that happened in 2020 and we are using today to thank God for his mercies on us and we shall continue to thank God for witnessing another day.
“May God be with all of us and make this new year abundantly rewarding”.
The royal father also commended the Ikorodu – Oga Development Association (IKODASS) and the Rotaract Club for donating gift items to the First Baby of the year born at the General Hospital, Ikorodu.
Dr Taiwo Hassan, the Medical Doctor/Chief Executive Officer of the General Hospital, Ikorodu, speaking during the new year reception for the royal father and his team during the royal visit, attributed the turnaround at the hospital to the support of the Governor of the State and staff of the hospital.
“We have a very supportive Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo – Olu, who has been supporting all the General Hospitals and the transformation of the health sector in the state.
“What you are seeing are the effects of the governor’s infrastructural development of the hospital and also human development because I have very good staff that are very supportive”.
The hospital administrator, while wishing the royal family, his entourage and hospital staff happy new year, also specially acknowledged the royal family for his supportive efforts and cooperation.
He also thanked the management and other staff and requested for more support from them in 2021, while also appreciating the support from former Medical Directors of the hospital that were present.
“Today is my first year of celebrating with the Alaiyeluwa as the Medical Director. I have always celebrated with him as Deputy Medical Director under the former Medical Director, Dr Olukoya, who I have been following his footprints that he left behind. He gave me maximum support and I am grateful for that.
“My egbon, Dr Idowu, is also a wonderful person. When I came into this hospital, I was handed over to him personally by Dr Olukoya and I was sharing an office with him but he never bothered.
“He will always call me to sit down with him and I did share an office with him for several years before an office was created for me”, Dr Hassan recalled.
“Today is not a speech making day but a day to rejoice and pray. I will continuously pray for Alaiyeluwa, Oba Kabir Shotobi who has been a wonderful father and supportive”.
He called me before many knew that I would be posted here as the MD and said that I should be a sterling example when you get back to the General Hospital, Ikorodu.
“Kabiyesi also added that I should come and make them proud in Ikorodu. I thank you sir for the confidence and belief that you have in me. I will never disappoint you. I will continue to uplift the value of Ikorodu”.
While assuring Kabiyesi and other guests that he will ensure that the hospital attained greater heights, Dr Hassan also recalled the hospital and his personal exploits in the recent past.
“I will continue to improve and take lkorodu General Hospital to greater heights.
“In 2014 while Dr Olukoya was still incharge of the hospital, we won six major awards: Best Medical Director, Best General Hospital, Best Supportive Medical Director, Best Director of Service Delivery and Best Service Improvement Officer.
“In 2015, Dr Hasan still went on to win the Best Director of Service Delivery and also in 2016 and 2017″.
Dr Hassan also took out time to commend a junior doctor at the hospital who made a big portrait of the Ayangbure of Ikorodu which was presented to the royal father at the new year event.
“We have a small gift for you that was made by one of our young doctors, Dr Asunmo who is also an artist.
“He told me that he would do a portrait of the Ayangbure of Ikorodu andpresent it to him during his visit on January 1. While doing the portrait, he never let it interfere with his call (medical duties at the hospital).
“That is why we are advocating for entrepreneurship skills for everyone. Aside from his medical practice, he is also using his knowledge of art to earn a living for himself”.
