Former Governor of Old Oyo State, Chief James Ajibola Idowu Ige (SAN), simply known as “Uncle Bola Ige, among his political associates and admirers would always be remembered for his tremendous exploits in virtually all spheres of human endeavours when he served as governor under the defunct Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN).
His visible impacts in the provision of free and qualitative health, education, agriculture and other sectors when he governed the state between 1979 and 1983 were unimaginable as many benefited from his programmes, which were the fulcrum of his political party.
Within that period, his commitment to make effective health care asssessible to the citizenry compelled him to build general hospitals in strategic senatorial districts, that made up the then old Oyo State. One of such hospitals is the abandoned General Hospital Ikire, now located Irewole local government of Osun State.
Though, Osun State, created in August 17, 1991 now owns the gigantic hospital edifice, located on the stretch of Ibadan-Ife expressway in the ancient town of Ikire, the abandonment of the facility has now become a great source of worry not only to the residents and natives of the town, but also to Nigerians that passes through that axis to Ondo, Ekiti, Edo, Delta and other communities in the South South and the South East regions.
Findings by the Nigerian Tribune indicate that many residents of the community now dreads moving close or assessing some neighbourhoods, sited beside the hospital for fear of being abducted by suspected kidnappers or attacked hoodlums, who have now converted the abandoned structure to their abode.
Apart from weeds that have almost submerged the hospital, the neglect of a mini Police Post built with container and positioned close to the building had increased the fear of the people, including passengers, traveling along that area.
A source, who pleaded anonymity because of the security implication informed our correspondent that “that abandoned building is a “No Go” place for anybody that values his life. It is now a safe haven for all sorts of criminals and miscreants. Anything can happen to you if you move close. Some kidnappers have turned that hospital to their base and negotiating joint, where they haggle ransom price with the relatives of their victims”.
According to him, “the only thing that government of Osun State can do is to complete that hospital project to serve the healthcare needs of the people of Ikire and its adjourning communities or turn the building to other productive use so that the illegal tenants, occupying the abandoned building would be forced to relocate”.
When our correspondent paid a visit to the abandoned hospital, a commercial bus, with Lagos State colour was sighted in front of the building and closer look at the bus shows that its number plate, which can be used to get details on the vehicle had been removed.
Despite the serenity of the environment with bushes within the fenced compound, there was aura of fear and trepidation, which enveloped the entire building. There is also an access road that leads into the building, which apparently shows that some people passes through it to unknown or particular destination.
A first timer to the abandoned edifice would be welcomed by a petrifying odour, oozing out of the building, owing to the heap waste products which indicates that some individuals have also turned the building and its vicinity into refuse dump.
However, investigations also showed that efforts were made some years ago to clear the weeds within and around the building during the dry season by some people, who set the bushes on fire and the raging inferno that ensued, completely burnt the woods and ceilings of the structure.
When contacted over the health facility, Osun State Commissioner for Health, Dr Rafiu Isamotu, said: “We were chased out of that hospital by armed robbers, who usually robbed patients, when it was being put to use.
“I can confirm to you that before now, the General Hospital, Ikire, was working optimally and serving the medical needs of our people. But, because of its location along the Ibadan-Ife highway, armed robbers often attacked patients, nurses and doctors in the hospital and it was a worrisome situation, considering the safety of the patients.
“Apart from robbing the patients on admission there and other medical staff, the robbers and hoodlums also raped some of their victims during such deadly operations, and we had to do something fast to ensure that lives of patients and other people in the hospital were not jeopardised.
“When the attack became serious, we were forced to relocate the General Hospital to the heart of Ikire township and it is now operating from there without any hindrance or fear of armed robber,” Isamotu posited.
On what could be done to force out suspected kidnappers and other hoodlums, who have now become the illegal ‘landlords’ in the abandoned hospital, he asserted that “I would personally visit the hospital building next week Wednesday and see what we can do on the situation.
“We would definitely do something drastic to see what we can use the hospital building for so that the suspected miscreants and other men of the underworld can be chased away from the facility.”
and then