The Otunba Tunwase National Paediatric Centre (OTNPC) at Ijebu-Ode in Ogun State built by the doyen of the Nigerian banking and finance industry, Otunba Michael Olasubomi Balogun, valued modestly at N3.7Billion, has been wholly donated to the University of Ibadan.
The multibillion naira OTNPC, which now has specialist consultants in most medical areas, is a tertiary referral centre for teaching, research and health care delivery for infants, children and by extension their mothers. It was solely built from scratch by Otunba Michael Subomi Balogun as a gift to humanity, Nigeria and the world. The formal handing over and signing of the Deed of Total Gift of the centre, which was built under the aegis of Otunba Tunwase Foundation took place on Friday, June 7, 2013.
Speaking at the ceremony, Otunba Balogun explained that the gesture was in fulfilment of the promise he made in 1994 to build a world class health centre to cater for children, “as part of my contribution to Nigeria’s health sector”. He added that the determination to construct the centre was informed by his experience after touring the children’s emergency wards/wing of the university’s College of Medicine where he saw children in various health conditions and was emotionally moved to establish the institution to save lives of children and mothers in Nigeria.
Otunba Subomi Balogun who is also the founder of First City Monument Bank (FCMB) Plc recalled that, “I have seen so many children suffering due to lack of adequate healthcare delivery in the nation’s health sector and this was what prompted me to establish this hospital. Today, I am delighted to hand it over as a total gift to University of Ibadan and I urge you to make it one of the best in the world”.Otunba Balogun further encouraged the authorities of the university to continue with the services being rendered at Otunba Atuwanse National Paediatric Centre.
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