The Methodist Church of Nigeria, has been accused of frustrating Presidential Assent on the upgrading of Wesley Guild Hospital, Ilesa to a Federal Medical Centre in a bid to transform it to the Teaching hospital of her Ondo-based Wesley University.
This was contained a statement by the Lawmaker representing Ilesa South Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, Hon Sanya Omirin last weekend.
According to Omirin, the agitation for the upgrade of the hospital gained higher traction during the legislative term of Hon. Babatunde Ayeni, his predecessor, but met a brick wall with the Methodist Church of Nigeria opposing the proposal.
However, the lawmaker, in his mission to improve the condition of the hospital and the commercial activities of Ijesaland, said he employed a political moves to reintroduce the bill with the support of sympathetic Colleagues in the National Assembly.
A copy of the statement made available obtained by OSUN DEFENDER reads partly: “One of the efforts to enhance the development of Ijesaland at the Legislative level is the push for the upgrade of the century old Wesley Guild Hospital, Ilesa, to a Federal Medical Center (FMC).
“The agitation gained higher traction during the Legislative term of Hon. Babatunde Ayeni when a public hearing was conducted on the bill proposing the upgrade of the hospital.
“However, the Methodist Church of Nigeria’s opposition to the proposal for the upgrade of the foremost hospital has never been hidden, instead, the Church is positively disposed to recovering the ownership and control of the Wesley Guild Hospital in a bid to transform it to the teaching hospital of her Ondo-based Wesley University.
“Nevertheless, the avalanche of benefits derivable from having an FMC in Ijesaland which includes but not limited to improvement of commercial activities, enhanced social and medical service delivery, direct and indirect job opportunities and lots more.
“As the tenth Assembly was inaugurated, I employed deft political moves to reintroduce the bill with the support of sympathetic Colleagues in the National Assembly.
“Today, I am short of the right adjective to describe my feelings, but as your representative I must report to Ijesas worldwide that while the bill was entering the final stage preparatory to the Presidential assent, the representatives of the Methodist Church, Nigeria, has once again threw “spanners into the into wheel” of the Federal Medical Centre Ilesa bill with a: No! No!!.
“The consequence of their action is that the proposed bill may not enjoy the overwhelming support of the constituents, which is a prerequisite for its progress. Whereas, with the passage of the bill and the consequent assent of Mr President, Ijesaland through the FMC will forthwith share from the humongous federal health budget, which will begin with massive construction, that will boost the economy of the Constituents and open up Ijesa land to more Professionals.
“FMC, Ilesa will also impact our people in the area of job creation and employment opportunities, improved and prompt health service delivery and by extension increased life expectancy rate.
“Truth be told any attempt to recover Wesley Guild Hospital Ilesa from the Federal Government of Nigeria must of necessity incorporate the reversal of WNBC/WNTV, Liberty stadium, Ahmadu Bello University, Obafemi Awolowo University and other public institutions annexed and gazetted alongside WGH in 1975 by the Federal Government of Nigeria.
“From the above analysis, it should be clear to every discerning mind that Ijesaland is a stone throw from winning a Federal Medical Centre, and it is expedient for all hands to remain on the plough.”
Omirin however appealed to Ijesa leaders of thought, political and religious leaders to prevail on the matter and see to the actualisation of the bill.
He said: “I therefore, appeal to Ijesa Leaders of thought, political and religious leaders of all persuasions, top Bureaucrats and Technocrats, Ijesa organized groups and youth organizations to prevail on all antagonists of the lofty medical institution to think about the strategic interest of Ijesaland in the context of the Presidential assent that will berth the training institution in Ijesaland and will ensure the maximum utilization of the decaying and the dwindling fortune of Wesley Guild Hospital.
“The ultimate approval of the medical centre will compensate for the aggregate efforts of the past Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, past and present CMDs of OAUTH who though are not Ijesa but share the sweet story of the dream FMC in Ijesaland.
“In unison, let’s start envisioning the celebration mood that will follow the upgrade of Wesley Guild Hospital to a full-fledged Federal Medical centre and so shall it be by God’s mercy.”
Yusuf Oketola is a trained journalist with over five years of experience in the media industry. He has worked for both print and online medium. He is a thorough-bred professional with an eye of hindsight on issues bothering on social justice, purposeful leadership, and a society where the leaders charge and work for the prosperity of the people.
