By Olajide Adeniyi
Three years ago, Governor Ademola Adeleke demonstrated his resolve of turning around healthcare deliveries in Osun state when he appointed Dr. Akindele Adekunle as Special Adviser on Public Health. Since then, the state’s health began to chart a new course, making it possible for the people to access healthcare without much hassle.
When Dr Akindele assumed office in 2023, access to qualitative healthcare in Osun state was mere rhetoric as infrastructures and welfare were in a state of disrepair.
Even though the immediate administration had accessed a $20.5 million World Bank grant to renew primary healthcare centres in the state in order to enhance the delivery of healthcare services to citizens, there was almost nothing to show for it as the PHCs selected for renovation failed to meet the required standard of the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Things were so bad and uncertainty about the future of healthcare deliveries in Osun state pervaded the air. But Dr Akindele is not perturbed and within weeks in office, laid out bold, progressive direction that would turnaround the infrastructures of healthcare centres and enhance their capacity to deliver for the people.
Unlike what transpired under the previous administration, Dr Akindele choose not to guess on the extent of interventions required to make our primary healthcare centres function effectively. He drew up a team and toured the facilities to understand clearly what is needed and how best to make them happen.
By the time the tour had finished, Dr Akindele had a clear perspective of the issues that had restricted the PHCs from rendering the expected healthcare services to the people, and what can actually work. The most incredible thing, which speaks to Dr Akindele’s leadership qualities, is the involvement of host communities in the rehabilitation of the PHCs.
This significantly laid the groundwork for the turnaround of the healthcare sector in Osun state. Through a sound plan and a measure of discipline, Dr. Akindele was able to see through the challenges that impact healthcare deliveries and a workable plan to make sure the healthcare of the people at the grassroot doesn’t suffer any longer.
No fewer than 200 PHCs were overhauled under the supervision of Dr Akindele, renewing not just the physical infrastructures but providing other essential infrastructures that will contribute to effective healthcare services delivery. One of such infrastructure is the provision of a 24/7 power source in every of the PHCs rehabilitated.
Almost everyone can attest to the fact that epileptic power supply remain an issue in Nigeria and to ensure that the upgraded PHCs have uninterrupted power supply, Dr Akindele guided the exploration of alternative power source through the installation of solar systems in PHCs across Osun state. The installed solar system will not just light bulbs but also power utilities in the PHCs, including boreholes to give uninterrupted access to clean water.
There is also one important addition in the newly renovated PHCs, and that is the construction of a waiting shed. The inclusion will provide a space for people who go to the PHCs to stay while they await being attended to as against the experience of loitering around the healthcare facilities in the past.
In short, it is a refreshing experience in the health sector so far as Dr Akindele’s expertise, professional guidance and vision is yielding positive outcomes for the health sector in Osun state. Citizens now enjoy the benefits of accessing healthcare services at better facilities and well motivated healthcare personnel.
All of these progress did not go unnoticed as Osun state moved from uncertainty to the point of winning the Primary Healthcare (PHC) Leadership Challenge on two consecutive years (2024 and 2025). The award which was organised by the Nigeria Governor’s Forum in partnership with the UNICEF, National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA), Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) and Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF) rated Osun state top in the entire SouthWest in primary healthcare management and upgrading of health facilities and earned the state a cash prize of $500,000 each on the two occasions.
By and large, Dr Akindele has demonstrated what is possible with the right leadership. If what we have seen in the last three years has shown us anything, it is that Dr Akindele deserves more responsibility to be able to do more for the people.
Above all, it is important to acknowledge and appreciate the sound judgement of Governor Ademola Adeleke in recognising the potential of Dr Akindele and putting him to task in turning things around for the Osun healthcare sector. The faith, trust and support of Governor Adeleke in Dr Akindele is an undeniable catalyst that fired up what he has been able to achieve in the role assigned to him and that is so incredible.
As he marks a new age, I am very sure that Osun people will be grateful for the impressive impacts he has made in the state’s healthcare and humanity as a whole. It is a thing of honour to celebrate a trailblazer, a man of many parts and more, who has shown the real value of leadership. I join family, friends and well-wishers to pray for him and wishes him many happy returns of the day so as to continue to see him in leadership positions where he can better serve our party and the whole of humanity.
• Olajide Adeniyi writes from Osogbo, Osun State
