EDO STATE GOVERNOR MONDAY OKPEBHOLO UNVEILS 62-BED ULTRAMODERN MEDICAL CENTRE IN EWATTO, COMMENDS PHILANTHROPIST LEEMON IKPEA

Governor highlights public-private sector collaboration as essential to expanding rural healthcare infrastructure alongside federal health authorities in Esan South-East

Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has officially commissioned a 62-bed ultramodern medical centre donated by billionaire businessman and philanthropist, Dr. Leemon Ikpea, to his hometown community in Idumu-Iyase, Ewatto, Esan South-East Local Government Area.

Speaking during the inauguration ceremony, Governor Okpebholo commended Dr. Ikpea, who serves as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Agbonjagwe Leemon Ikpea Foundation, for directing private capital toward sustainable public health infrastructure and rural community welfare.

The governor noted that state interventions, including the recruitment of over 2,000 healthcare personnel and the upgrading of more than 65 primary healthcare facilities across Edo State's three senatorial districts, require strong private-sector partnerships to bridge structural coverage gaps.

Also present at the event, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, praised the donor for aligning private philanthropy with national health security priorities, emphasizing that accessible healthcare directly drives rural productivity and economic growth.

Dr. Ikpea formally handed over the state-of-the-art facility to the community, calling on local leaders, residents, and security agencies to collectively protect the hospital infrastructure and diagnostic equipment from damage and vandalism.