By Fr. Anthony Adetayo

Tuesday 1st of June 2021 was a glorious day in the community of Ijebu-Igbo. This is because the State government, the community dwellers and the traditional rulers of all the towns that make up Ijebu-Igbo gathered to experience the flag off ceremony of a free antenatal clinic and free delivery service for pregnant mothers and their babies fully sponsored by the Catholic Diocese of Ijebu-Ode.

The Director of Health Catholic Diocese of Ijebu-Ode Very Rev. Fr. Christopher Ogunnupebi recognized all the dignitaries that graced the occasion and defined the purpose for the gathering which is to help the hospital management to better render services to the community and its environs.

The bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Ijebu-Ode Most Rev. Francis Obafemi Adesina thanked the community for the support given to the hospital and its management over the years. According to the Bishop, birth mortality rate has increased quoting some statistical analysis and their sources. “Thank you for supporting my predecessors firstly late Bishop Anthony Saliu Sanusi who established this hospital and the Emeritus, Most Rev. Albert Fasina who built on the same legacy. I thank you for your resolve to also give me the same support, for together we shall move this hospital to a greater height. I declare the flag off a free antenatal clinic and free delivery for 1000 pregnant women and their babies in Ijebu North local government, in St. Joseph Catholic hospital and indeed all Catholic hospitals in Ijebu-Ode Diocese.”

The following were present or ably represented at the event:

Prince Dapo Abiodun
The Executive Governor of Ogun State, ably represented by

Dr. E. A. Ayinde
The Permanent Secretary
Ogun State Ministry of Health.

Dr. Tomi Coker
The Honorable Commissioner
Ogun State Ministry Of Health

Dr. Afolabi Dosunmu
The Executive Secretary
OGSHIA, Ogun State.

HRH, The Sopenlukale of Oke-Sopen
Oke-Sopen, Ijebu-Igbo.

HRH, The Keegbo of Atikori
Atikori, Ijebu-Igbo.

HRH, The Abijaparako of Japara
Japara, Ijebu-Igbo

HRH, The Bejeroku of Oke-Agbo,
Oke-Agbo, Ijebu-Igbo.

HRH, The Olokine of Ojowo
Ojowo, Ijebu Igbo.

The Chairman
League of Imams and Afaas
Oke-Agbo, Ijebu-Igbo.

The Chairman
League of Imams and Afaas
Oke-Sopen, Ijebu-Igbo.

It was a beautiful, educative and well organised ceremony directed by Rev. Fr. Joseph Ogunnupebi and the people of Ijebu-Igbo will always remember a day like this for joy.