Olajumoke at 81: Aiyedatiwa hails legacy, endorses education initiative …as Mimiko delivers stirring lecture on Nigeria’s ailing health sector. By Dally Iyamu

Olajumoke at 81: Aiyedatiwa hails legacy, endorses education initiative

…as Mimiko delivers stirring lecture on Nigeria’s ailing health sector

Ondo State Governor, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has paid glowing tribute to Senator Bode Olajumoke, describing him as a seasoned technocrat and a symbol of selfless leadership whose contributions remain a source of inspiration.

The Governor, spoke at the event marking Olajumoke’s 81st birthday, held at the International Culture and Events Centre (The DOME), in Akure, the Ondo State capital.

Represented by his Deputy, Dr. Olayide Adelami, Aiyedatiwa also applauded the unveiling of the Bode Olajumoke Education and Hospitality Initiative, designed to promote access to quality education and sustainable human development.

He lauded Olajumoke not just as a political figure but as a man whose life has been marked by meaningful service to humanity, underscoring his enduring commitment to the promotion of human dignity and social upliftment.

“Senator Bode Olajumoke is a man who has made a profound impact on the lives of others,” the governor said. “His life is a testament to what leadership truly means service above self.

He reminds us that politics should be a vehicle for service, not merely a career.”

Aiyedatiwa further urged young people to emulate Olajumoke’s values, stressing the need for a new generation of leaders committed to service rather than self-interest.

Commending the newly launched initiative, the governor pledged the full support of the Ondo State Government to collaborate with the programme in achieving its noble goals.

“This initiative highlights the critical need to prioritise human welfare,” he stated.

“As a government, we are ready and willing to partner with this vision in any capacity necessary to see it succeed.”

He concluded by applauding Senator Olajumoke’s life of purpose, integrity, and dedication, describing him as a man whose legacy will endure for generations to come.

As part of the event’s highlights, former Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, delivered a compelling public lecture centred on the urgent need for reform in Nigeria’s healthcare system.

Mimiko, a medical doctor and advocate for health sector development, decried the alarming state of public health in the country, warning that continued neglect could have dire consequences for national development.

Citing sobering statistics, he noted that Nigeria accounts for 28 percent of global maternal deaths, while life expectancy stands at a dismal 55 years among the lowest globally, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

He attributed the crisis to chronic underfunding, pointing out that Nigeria devotes just 4.7 percent of its national budget to healthcare far below the 15 percent target set by the African Union in the Abuja Declaration.

“No nation can develop without subsidy,” Mimiko declared. “We must deliberately invest in healthcare the same way developed nations do.

“Funding is the foundation upon which all meaningful development rests especially in health.”

He also called for urgent incentives for health professionals, arguing that poor working conditions and inadequate facilities are driving Nigeria’s best brains abroad.

“Nigeria is inadvertently subsidising the healthcare systems of wealthier nations,” he said. “We train doctors with our scarce resources, only to watch them emigrate and contribute to the growth of other countries.”

Describing this brain drain as a “legacy of a conquered people,” Mimiko urged policymakers to recognise the situation as a national emergency.

He emphasised that the political will to address the crisis must be driven by a genuine concern for the millions of Nigerians trapped in cycles of poverty and preventable disease.

“A nation that cannot care for its citizens cannot expect to prosper,” he added. “We must build a healthcare system that works for all.”

The lecture drew a wide audience from the education, health, and political sectors, and was a major highlight of the event celebrating Senator Olajumoke’s milestone.

For more on Senator Olajumoke’s Birthday, get a copy of Ebony Herald International Magazine from Monday 7th July