Aikhomu Foundation seeks FG partnership on Medical Centre

The Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Late Augustus Akhabue Aikhomu Foundation on Friday paid a courtesy visit to the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, at his office in Abuja to present a proposal for a strategic partnership on the operation and management of a newly completed 62-bed state-of-the-art medical facility in Idumu-Iyase, Ewatto, Esan South-East Local Government Area of Edo State.

The delegation was led by the Chairman of the Board of Trustees and Chief Executive Officer of Lee Engineering, Chief Dr. Leemon Ikpea.

According to a statement by the Secretary of the Board, Tony Okonigene, the medical centre being proposed for partnership, built by the Agbonjagwe Leemon Ikpea Foundation (ALIF), is a legacy healthcare project designed to improve access to quality medical services for residents of Ewatto and neighbouring communities.

Presenting the proposal, Dr. Ikpea explained that the Foundation is seeking a public-private partnership with the Federal Government under which the hospital would be professionally managed by a designated Federal Government medical institution, while ownership of the facility remains with the promoter. The proposed arrangement is aimed at ensuring clinical excellence, efficient administration and the long-term sustainability of the hospital.

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The fully completed and equipped facility features 62 beds, male, female and paediatric wards, operating theatres, 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 services. Doctors’ residences and a police post are also under construction.

During the visit, the BoT Chairman also formally invited Professor Pate to the official launch of the Late Augustus Akhabue Aikhomu Foundation and the public presentation of the biography of the late Chief of General Staff, Admiral Augustus Akhabue Aikhomu. The event is scheduled to hold on October 20, 2026, at the Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, Irrua, Edo State.

The Minister was also invited to commission and officially receive the 62-bed medical centre on behalf of the Federal Government as part of efforts to strengthen healthcare delivery in Edo State and Nigeria at large.

The Board noted that the establishment of the Late Augustus Akhabue Aikhomu Foundation is intended to preserve the enduring legacy of the late elder statesman while promoting initiatives in healthcare, education, leadership development and community advancement.

Members of 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.