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From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
Board of Trustees of the Late Augustus Akhabue Aikhomu Foundation has proposed a strategic partnership with the Federal Government for the operation and management of a newly completed 62-bed state-of-the-art medical centre in Edo State, in a move aimed at expanding access to quality healthcare in underserved communities.
The proposal was presented on Friday during a courtesy visit to the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Ali Pate, by a delegation led by the Foundation’s Board Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Lee Engineering, Leemon Ikpea.
Located in Idumu-Iyase, Ewatto, Esan South-East Local Government Area of Edo State, the hospital was built by the Agbonjagwe Leemon Ikpea Foundation (ALIF) as a legacy project to serve residents of Ewatto and neighbouring communities.
Presenting the proposal, Ikpea said the Foundation was seeking a public-private partnership that would allow a designated Federal Government medical institution to professionally manage the facility while ownership remains with the Foundation.
“The proposed arrangement is aimed at ensuring clinical excellence, efficient administration and the long-term sustainability of the hospital,” he said.
The ultra-modern medical centre is fully completed and equipped with 62 beds, male, female and paediatric wards, operating theatres, an accident and emergency unit, labour and post-natal wards, diagnostic facilities including X-ray and CT scan units, physiotherapy services, ambulances, consultants’ offices, administrative buildings, standby power supply, restaurant and laundry facilities.
Construction is also ongoing on doctors’ residences and a police post within the hospital premises.
Beyond seeking federal collaboration on the hospital, the Foundation also invited Professor Pate to officially launch the Late Augustus Akhabue Aikhomu Foundation and unveil the biography of the late former Chief of General Staff, Admiral Augustus Akhabue Aikhomu.
The event is scheduled for October 20, 2026, at the Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital in Edo State.
The Health Minister was also invited to commission and formally receive the medical centre on behalf of the Federal Government, a gesture the Foundation said would reinforce ongoing efforts to strengthen healthcare delivery in Edo State and across Nigeria.
According to the Board, the establishment of the Late Augustus Akhabue Aikhomu Foundation is designed to preserve the legacy of the late elder statesman while driving interventions in healthcare, education, leadership development and community advancement.
The delegation included the Chief Medical Director of Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital and Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Professor Reuben Eifediyi; Secretary of the Board, ESV Tony Okonigene; and Professor Bolaji Babatunde, Special Assistant (Technical) to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
