Healthcare delivery in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State received a substantial and timely enhancement on Saturday, 10th January 2026, following the philanthropic intervention of the Oba Micah and Olori Moronke Ajijo Foundation.
The non-governmental organization significantly bolstered local medical capacity through the donation of a state-of-the-art 4D ultrasound Doppler machine, valued in the millions of naira, to the State General Hospital in Igbokoda.
Oba Micah and Olori Moronke Ajijo Foundation, a dedicated Non-Governmental Organisation, orchestrated a dual humanitarian intervention, combining a high-value equipment donation with a large-scale medical outreach, thereby addressing both immediate and long-term health needs of the community.
The cornerstone of this intervention was the ceremonial handover of a cutting-edge 4D Ultrasound Doppler Machine, a multi-million naira diagnostic apparatus, to the State General Hospital in Igbokoda. This donation promises to revolutionize diagnostic capabilities at the facility.
Concurrently, in a demonstration of direct community care, the Foundation executed its annual free medical outreach, providing comprehensive healthcare services to over one thousand indigent residents.of Ilaje and surrounding areas, who gathered in Igbokoda to receive treatment for a spectrum of ailments.
The donation ceremony, held on the grounds of the Igbokoda General Hospital, was presided over by the President of the Foundation, Mrs. Yetunde Obabunmi Obuotor. In her address, she framed the donation not merely as a transfer of technology, but as a profound commitment to preserving human life and dignity.
“The Oba Micah and Olori Moronke Ajijo Foundation was established with a clear and heartfelt mission: to support underserved communities in Ondo State and across Nigeria,” stated Mrs. Obuotor. “We believe strongly that real development happens when we work together. Government alone cannot do it all, just as communities cannot thrive without partnership.”
She elucidated the critical role of the donated equipment, stating, “An ultrasound machine is not just a piece of equipment; it is a lifeline. It plays a crucial role in maternal and child health, emergency care, and the early detection of medical conditions. For many families, it can mean the difference between uncertainty and clarity, between fear and reassurance, and sometimes, between life and loss.”
Mrs. Obuotor extended gratitude to key stakeholders, including His Excellency, Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, and praised the unwavering dedication of the hospital’s medical staff. “Today is not just about handing over medical equipment. It is about people. It is about care. It is about hope. And above all, it is about our shared responsibility to one another as a community.”
Providing context to the Foundation’s philanthropic drive, the Secretary of the Board of Trustees, Mrs. Folashade Ajijo, explained that the initiative is deeply inspired by the enduring legacy of their parents, Oba Micah and Olori Moronke Ajijo, who were esteemed natives of Ilaje renowned for their commitment to community service and empowerment.
“Although our family has been engaged in philanthropic activities for several years, the foundation was recently formalized to ensure accountability, structure, and sustainable impact in the communities we serve,” Mrs. Ajijo noted. She outlined the foundation’s holistic focus, which spans healthcare, education, and livelihood support. “Our mission is to empower underserved people… We want to see how we can improve access to quality education, healthcare, and contribute to sustainable development.”
The Ondo State Government lauded the interventions as a major boost to the state’s healthcare system. Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, represented by the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Banji Ajaka, commended the Foundation’s benevolence, noting that the ultrasound machine would significantly strengthen diagnostic services at the Igbokoda facility.
Dr. Ajaka emphasized the necessity for diligent stewardship, describing the donation as “a valuable investment that must be preserved through proper use and maintenance to ensure long-term benefits for patients.”
Echoing this sentiment, the Chief Medical Director of Igbokoda General Hospital, Dr. Edino Ezekiel, detailed the technical significance of the 4D Doppler ultrasound. He described it as one of the most advanced diagnostic tools now available in the area, capable of detailed examination of blood vessels, soft tissues, and vital organs for antenatal care, abdominal scans, and cardiac assessments.
“This equipment will drastically reduce the need for our patients to embark on arduous and expensive journeys to distant urban centers for specialized diagnostics,” Dr. Ezekiel explained. “Igbokoda General Hospital serves as a critical hub for communities across Ilaje and neighbouring riverine areas, and this machine will enhance our capacity to serve them effectively.”
The parallel free medical outreach was a meticulously organized affair. Dr. Babatunde Akinbinu, the Doctor in charge of the outreach and also the Public Relations Officer of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) in Ondo State, provided a comprehensive breakdown of the exercise.
He revealed that the outreach was structured to address a wide range of acute and chronic conditions prevalent in the community, including hypertension, diabetes, malaria, peptic ulcer disease, and various eye conditions. A team of over 40 healthcare professionals, including a consultant ophthalmologist, nurses, and other specialists, was mobilized from within and outside the local government to provide services to geriatric, adult, and paediatric patients.
“Beneficiaries were screened, consulted, and given free drugs to last between one to two weeks,” Dr. Akinbinu disclosed. He added that arrangements were being considered to support patients identified as needing further surgical or specialized medical intervention, contingent on available resources.
Moving beyond a one-off event, the Foundation implemented a forward-thinking strategy for continuity of care. Dr. Akinbinu emphasized the critical importance of sustained treatment, particularly for chronic diseases.
“We are taking detailed data, names, addresses, and diagnoses, of every beneficiary seen today,” he stated. “We will collaborate with the General Hospital and the Primary Health Care Authority to facilitate follow-up care. Healthcare is not a one-off thing. When resources are unavailable, patients may abandon medication or resort to unsafe traditional remedies, leading to preventable complications and death. That is what we are trying to avoid through this data-driven approach to ensure proper long-term management.”
Dr. Akinbinu concluded by highlighting the substantial investment made by the Foundation, stressing that all services, consultations, and medications were provided absolutely free of charge, representing a multi-million naira commitment to the health and wellbeing of the Ilaje people.
This dual initiative by the Oba Micah and Olori Moronke Ajijo Foundation stands as a paradigm of impactful philanthropy, seamlessly blending the gift of life-saving technology with hands-on humanitarian care, thereby planting seeds for a healthier, more resilient future for the communities of Ilaje.
