Professor Stephen Debo Adeyemi, CON, a distinguished surgeon, former minister, and accomplished administrator, has officially declared his intention to contest for the vacant stool of Owa Obokun Adimula of Ijesaland. Professor Adeyemi of the Ofokutu Royal Family under the Bilaro Oluodo Ruling House outlined his vision to serve the people of Ijesaland with a commitment to unity, development, and cultural preservation.
Having faithfully observed the traditional mourning period for His Imperial Majesty Oba Dr Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran, CFR, LLD, The 40th Owa Obokun Adimula of Ijesaland, Professor Adeyemi expressed his readiness to dedicate his life to the service of Ijesaland. He cited his extensive experience in governance, healthcare, and international diplomacy as a solid foundation for his aspirations.“I have served my country as a minister, represented Nigeria in Canada, excelled as a surgeon, and managed one of the largest tertiary health institutions in the country. It is now time to serve my people of Ijesaland directly,” he stated.Professor Adeyemi emphasized the need for unity, peace, and collaboration among the people of Ireland, stressing that these values are essential for progress. He pledged to work closely with traditional rulers, community leaders, and entrepreneurs to harness the region’s abundant resources, including its fertile land, industrious population, and creative youth.“United we stand, divided we fall.
Together, we can explore our God-given endowments for the benefit of all,” he said. Highlighting the vast agricultural and mineral wealth of Ijesaland, Professor Adeyemi proposed a cooperative approach to land management, agricultural expansion, and industrial development.
He vowed to address issues of land accessibility and promote local processing of gold and other minerals to benefit the people while mitigating environmental degradation.“Foreigners and non-indigenes have benefited from our resources, leaving us with land degradation and pollution. As Owa Obokun, I will advocate for local production of finished goods to ensure our people benefit directly,” he promised. On security, Professor Adeyemi pledged to collaborate with law enforcement agencies and community leaders to create a peaceful environment conducive to development and economic growth.
As a healthcare professional, Professor Adeyemi unveiled plans to prioritize primary healthcare, child and maternal health, and geriatric care in Ijesaland. He also promised to champion education by supporting primary and technical education to reduce illiteracy and tackle youth unemployment.“Education is the cornerstone of development.
We must empower our youth with skills and knowledge to secure their future,” he added. In a bid to safeguard the rich cultural heritage of Ijesaland, Professor Adeyemi proposed the establishment of an Ijesa Cultural Center.
The center will include a museum for Ijesa arts and crafts and a Hall of Fame to honor outstanding sons and daughters of the land.“This initiative will inspire the younger generation to strive for excellence while preserving our traditions for posterity,” he explained.
Acknowledging that the office of Owa Obokun is non-political, Professor Adeyemi pledged to work with all stakeholders, including government authorities, local and foreign investors, and the Ijesa diaspora, to attract development projects to Ijesaland.
TOP SEVEN POINT AGENDA OF PROFESSOR STEPHEN ADEYEMI OFOKUTU
1. Promote the unity of Ijesas (Isokan Ijesa)
2. Prioritise peace and security of lives in Ijesaland
3. Facilitate availability of land in each of the six Local Government Areas for agricultural and industrial development in order to create employment especially for the youth.
4. Collaboration with Federal and State governments, local and foreign investors and Ijesa sons and daughters in diaspora for the development of Ijesaland.
5. Work collaboratively for reorientation of the gold mining industry in Ijesaland such that our people will benefit more, and environmental and land degradation will be less.
6. a) Support for primary health care specially to reduce infant and maternal mortality.b) Support for primary education to tackle illiteracy and for technical education to tackle unemployment.
7. Establishment of Ijesa Cultural Center to promote Ijesa culture and history along with a Museum and a Hall of Fame to promote tourism.
Brief Profile:Professor Stephen Debo ADEYEMI (Ofokutu)
BORN: into the OFOKUTU Royal Family of Ijesaland
Date: 21 December,1942RESIDENCE: a) 3, Adeyemi Ofokutu Street Off Iyemogun Road, Ilesa b) 4, Oyo Close, Parkview Estate, Ikoyi, Lagos.
EDUCATION Secondary:-West African School Cert – Grade one- Higher School Cert( Physics, Chemistry, Zoology)-Tertiary: MB,BS ( Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery) – Unilag 1969
Postgraduate: University of Toronto training in Surgery (A) Fellow,Royal College of Surgeons and Physicians of Canada ( FRCS (C) in General Surgery- 1975. (B)Certification in Paediatric Surgery by the Royal College of Surgeons and Physicians of Canada-1978 (C) Fellow National Postgraduate Medical College ( Surgery)d) Fellow West African College of Surgeons-1975
EMPLOYMENTS: (1)Chief Resident Surgery- St Joseph’s Hospital, Toronto Canada- 1974. (2) Chief Resident, Surgery- Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada -19763) Consultant/ Lecturer, Surgery- Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH)/ Unilag- 1979-894) Associate Prof Surgery, Unilag -19895) Professor of Surgery- Unilag 1992
ACHIEVEMENTS; (a) Training of doctors and surgeons. (b) established Paediatric Surgery as a specialty. (c) Separation of asymmetric Siamese twins. (d) Research and publication in local and international medical journals Appointment cont’d:
CHIEF MEDICAL DIRECTOR and CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER , LUTH-1995-98 ACHIEVEMENTS; (a) Bus transport for staff
b) Reorganisation of Hospital departments (c)Establishment of work Task Force.
(d) Reorientation of Engineering Department into a work force.
(e) Introduced direct payment of Hospital fees into the bank thus saving millions of naira hitherto siphoned.
(f) Building of Resource Center harbouring six training schools.
(g) payment of allowances three months in advance to enable staff pay their rent and childrens’ school fees.
(h) drainage of the entire LUTH environment to tackle flooding. (I)Privatised cleaning and security.
(j) Introduced LUTH Day for attracting friends for LUTH thereby raising funds for the Hospital
k) Created recreation lounges for doctors and a Junior Staff Canteen. (l) Conceptualised Hall 36, an Event Hall for raising funds for the Hospital APPOINTMENTS cont’d: (7) Honorable Minister of Health and member Federal Executive Council Achievements: (a)Succeeded in completing the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital New Site at Naija.
(b) Reactivated work at the then new site of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital and appointed the contractor who completed the construction of the Hospital which has since been in use.
(c)Got approval and funding for a modern Outpatient department At OAUTH Complex, Ilesa, has since been in use Also got approval for an ultramodern surgical theatre at the same hospital in Ilesa.d)Upgrading of the Mortuary at the OAUTH Ile Ife.
(e)Established vaccine storage facilities in strategic parts of the country. (f) Stopped payment of staff salaries in the Ministry of Health with one check, thereby saving saving six million naira every month that was hitherto going to fraudsters.
(g) Succeeded in passing into law the National Health Insurance Scheme after more than 32 years of failed attempts by previous administration for which I was honored with the national award of Commander Order of the Niger( CON).
(h) I was fortunate to be part of the team led by HE General Abdulsalami Abubakar that midwifed the Military to Democracy transition for which I was also given an award .
MODEST CONTRIBUTION TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF ILESA:
(a) Camp Stephen conceived by my Foundation, Professor Debo Adeyemi Foundation ( PRODAF) whose Motto is “ To Serve God and Humanity “ is situated at Ilesa/ Akure Expressway consisting of a 25 acre piece of land on which are presently standing a) Owa Ofokutu ( Memorial) Ecumenical Center built in memory of my great grandfather, Owa Obokun Adimula Ofokutu who welcomed the pioneer missionaries to Ijesaland and contributed to the establishment of Christianity in this part of the country.
The Center consists presently of the Basilica of Christ, an auditorium big enough to seat 3,000 worshipers, Daniel House ( a Pastorium) and a Civic/ conference center. (b) the ultra modern palace of the Owa Obokun, and (c) Ijesa Geriatric Center
MAJOR HONORS/ AWARDS
1) Distinguished son of Osun State by the Osun State Government-1999
2) Distinguished Leadership Award by the Government of Lagos State-1999.
3)Military to Democracy Transition Award by the Federal Government of Nigeria-1999 4 Commander Order of the Niger ( CON) by the Federal Government of Nigeria-2012.
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