The National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi, Lagos, has commissioned several infrastructure projects and honoured notable contributors as part of activities marking its 80th anniversary celebration.
The newly inaugurated projects include patient relations hostels, a 36-unit mini-flat staff quarters, and Phase II of the College of Nursing hostel. The facilities were donated through the support of the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, the Murtala Ibrahim Adegboyega Foundation, and Princess Adegoke Orelope.
Speaking during the event, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Salako, described the anniversary theme as both timely and inspiring, noting that it offered an opportunity to reflect on the hospital’s achievements while preparing for future advancements in healthcare delivery.
Salako urged the hospital’s management and workforce to continue upholding professionalism, integrity, compassion, innovation, and excellence, values he said had sustained the institution over the decades.
He added that the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare would continue supporting policies and programmes aimed at improving healthcare services nationwide.
Delivering the anniversary lecture, former Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola (SAN), described the hospital as a symbol of care and hope deserving greater recognition and public support.
Fashola commended past and present stakeholders who contributed to the growth of the institution and called on the Federal Government and well-meaning Nigerians to sustain support for the hospital.
According to him, the institution has remained critical to healthcare delivery and should not be neglected.
The Medical Director of the hospital, Dr. Wakeel Olaide, said the commissioning of the projects reflected the hospital’s continued growth and the strength of its partnerships with individuals and organisations.
He noted that the institution had expanded collaborations, embraced modern medical technologies, and maintained standards that positioned it among leading orthopaedic referral centres in West Africa.
Olaide also appealed to corporate organisations and private individuals to support the hospital through infrastructural and healthcare development initiatives.
As part of the anniversary activities, departments within the hospital showcased products and services during an exhibition held at the facility.
The hospital also presented awards to 21 individuals and organisations in recognition of their contributions to its development.
Among those honoured were Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; the NNPC Foundation; the Murtala Adegboyega Foundation; and late businessman and philanthropist, Sir Mobolaji Bank-Anthony.
Receiving the award on behalf of the Murtala Adegboyega Foundation, Mrs. Bunmi Adegboyega-Ibraheem appreciated the hospital for its decades of service to humanity.
She recalled the recent passing of her husband, Murtala Adegboyega, and former Medical Director of the hospital, Dr. Mustapha Alimi, while expressing gratitude for witnessing the hospital’s milestone anniversary.
She encouraged Nigerians to support the institution, stressing that anyone could require its medical services in the future.
The late Dr. Mustapha Alimi also received a posthumous honour for his role in transforming the hospital during his tenure as Medical Director.
Speaking on behalf of his late grandfather, Sir Mobolaji Bank-Anthony, Mr. Tunde Bank-Anthony thanked the hospital management for recognising the family’s longstanding contributions to the institution.
He noted that the late philanthropist financed and constructed the hospital’s iconic 140-bed accident ward more than five decades ago to strengthen emergency healthcare services in Lagos.
