Vandals Hit Idle FG Hospital in Ogbomoso as Community Leaders Decry Neglect

The 80-bed Mother and Child Specialist Hospital in Pakiotan, Ogbomoso — a Federal Government facility intended to serve as an urban health centre — has been attacked by vandals, sparking outrage among residents and traditional leaders.

The project, commissioned on May 27, 2023, and handed over to the Federal Ministry of Health through the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, has remained inactive for over a year since its launch.

During an on-site visit, the Onipakiotan of Pakiotan, Oba James Oyetunji Ojo, described the incident as “economic subversion” detrimental to the community’s growth. He recalled that prior to the hospital’s commissioning, some cables were stolen and later replaced by the former Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare.

Oba Ojo lamented that despite the community donating eight plots of land for the project to enhance maternal and child healthcare in Ogbomoso and surrounding areas, the hospital has yet to begin operations. He urged UCH and the Ministry of Health to either commence services immediately or hand over management to the community, adding that the absence of activity made the facility vulnerable to vandalism.

Similarly, the Chairman of Ogbomoso North Local Government, Hon. Ogunlade Gbadegesin, expressed disappointment over UCH’s inaction. He recalled that hospital officials visited the site in September 2024, promising to begin operations in October, but the commitment was never fulfilled.

Community members are now calling for urgent government intervention to safeguard the facility, ensure the hospital becomes functional, and prevent further damage to critical public health infrastructure.