Edo State-born billionaire and philanthropist, Dr. Leemon Ikpea, has donated an ultra-modern 62-bed hospital to his Idumu-Iyase community in Ewatto, Esan South-East Local Government Area of Edo State, in a move aimed at improving access to quality healthcare.
The hospital was commissioned on Monday by Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, and the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate.
Speaking at the ceremony, Ikpea said the medical facility was established to provide healthcare services to residents of Ewatto and neighbouring communities.
Ikpea, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Agbonjagwe Leemon Ikpea Foundation (ALI), said the hospital was equipped with modern medical facilities and would serve as an annex to Irrua Specialist Hospital.
He described the facility as a collective asset belonging to the community and urged residents to take responsibility for its protection and maintenance.
The philanthropist appealed to community leaders, residents and security agencies to safeguard the hospital, its equipment and buildings against damage and vandalism to ensure its continued availability for healthcare delivery.
He also called on residents to support the Edo State Government’s efforts to improve healthcare services across the state, expressing hope that the facility would make a meaningful contribution to the wellbeing of the people.
Governor Okpebholo commended Ikpea for investing in healthcare infrastructure, describing the project as an example of how private-sector participation could strengthen healthcare delivery.
The governor said government alone could not meet the healthcare needs of the population, urging wealthy individuals and organisations to complement public investment by supporting projects that directly improve people’s welfare.
He also charged the hospital’s management and healthcare professionals to maintain high standards of patient care.
“Government alone cannot do it. We need private-sector partners and other individuals to complement public-sector investments. Ikpea has set a good record, and I encourage other well-meaning individuals and organisations to emulate him,” Okpebholo said.
He urged residents of Ewatto to protect the facility and make proper use of it, describing it as an important asset that should be preserved for present and future generations.
The governor, who highlighted his administration’s efforts to strengthen healthcare delivery, said more than 2,000 healthcare workers had been recruited to boost the state’s workforce, while over 65 primary healthcare centres had been upgraded across the three senatorial districts.
“I charge the management of Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital and the medical professionals who will serve here to uphold the highest standards of patient care.
“To the people of Ewatto, protect this facility and make good use of it. Let it become a place of hope and healing,” he said.
Okpebholo also assured residents that his administration would mobilise the contractor to return to the site and complete the ongoing construction of the Ewatto-Udo Road as the dry season approaches.
Similarly, Professor Pate commended Ikpea, the Agbonjagwe Leemon Ikpea Foundation and his family for investing in healthcare infrastructure to serve Ewatto and surrounding communities.
Pate described the project as a source of pride for the community and Edo State, noting that access to quality healthcare was essential to social and economic development.
He said a healthy population was better positioned to contribute to economic growth, adding that farmers, teachers, children and other members of society benefited when healthcare services were accessible and effective.
The minister urged wealthy Nigerians and private-sector organisations to partner with federal and state governments to expand healthcare infrastructure and improve service delivery nationwide.
According to him, such partnerships would complement public-sector investments and support efforts to transform Nigeria’s healthcare system.