The Ilobu community in Osun State on Saturday said it had, in partnership with the family of the late Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, engaged the state government on the rehabilitation of a medical centre located in the town.
This was disclosed by the President of the Ilobu-Asake Development Union, the flagship group for indigenes of the town, Prof. Olufemi Saibu, while speaking with journalists as part of activities lined up for the 34th Ilobu Day celebrations.
.Saibu said the medical facility remained one of the best specialised hospitals in Nigeria, noting that the state government was in the best position to revamp it and put it in good shape to cater for the medical needs of many communities in the area.
He added that, under the arrangement, the medical facility would soon become an annexe of the Osun State University Teaching Hospital, which has its headquarters in Osogbo.
The IDU president said, “We realised that if we should handle the medical facility by ourselves, we may not have the capacity to do that. In collaboration with the family of the late General Lagbaja, we engaged the state government and asked them to take up the facility.
“So, anytime from now, the medical centre will become an annexe of the Osun State University Teaching Hospital. It will not only serve the Ilobu community, but the entire Osun State.”
On the activities lined up for this year’s edition of Ilobu-Asake Day, with the theme, “Ilobu-Asake: United in Heritage, Rising in Development,” Saibu said a free medical outreach for residents, an education programme and fundraising for community development projects would hold during the weeklong celebration.
“Qualified health professionals will deliver a general health talk, give personal medical advice and counselling, and distribute drugs free of charge to those who need them. I urge our people, especially the elderly, to come early and bring along any medication they take regularly.
“The IDU Education Programme will also hold at Ilobu House Complex. It brings together students, teachers and parents for a lecture and career talk, an inter-school quiz and debate, and the presentation of prizes, scholarships and educational materials,” he noted.
The IDU president further said Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, would lead other dignitaries to the community to witness the grand finale of the celebration.
“This year, the Union will also recognise five Special Distinguished Compounds of Honour 2026: Agbofiseti Compound, Akeyan Compound, Alako Compound, Imam-Arohun Compound and Oloso Compound.
“We honour these family compounds for their contribution to the history, unity and development of Ilobu,” he said.
The PUNCH had earlier reported that the death of the then Chief of Army Staff, Taoreed Lagbaja, an indigene of Ilobu, Osun State, was confirmed in a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
