The Ondo State Executive Council has approved the transfer of the University of Medical Sciences (UNIMED) Teaching Hospital complex in Akure to the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), to serve as the institution’s College of Medicine and Teaching Hospital.
The decision followed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s approval for FUTA to establish a medical college and teaching hospital.
Briefing journalists after the Council meeting presided over by Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa on Thursday, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Banji Ajaka, said the state-owned Akure hospital complex would now be ceded to the Federal Government to function as FUTA’s main medical sciences facility.
“The handover includes the transfer of staff infrastructure, equipment, and liabilities. All employees will be absorbed into FUTA Teaching Hospital under the Federal Government,” Dr. Ajaka stated.
He added that the move would strengthen healthcare delivery in Ondo State while helping FUTA attain its ambition of becoming a top centre for medical sciences in the country.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Forestry, Engr. Leye Akinola, announced that the Council approved new measures to protect farmers from the impact of the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), which prohibits crops grown on deforested lands.
He explained that agroforestry practices would be introduced in selected forest areas, while reserved zones would remain intact. Cocoa, cashew, oil palm and rubber farmers, he noted, would be allowed to continue operations under a strict mapping and traceability system.
“By December 30, 2025, any crop that cannot be traced to a mapped farm risks being rejected at the EU market. To safeguard livelihoods, the state will support farm mapping and grant farmers permits to continue operations,” Akinola added.
The Council further approved a review of tariffs on agricultural produce and timber value chains in line with the DAWN Commission framework adopted by Southwest states.
On infrastructure, Commissioner for Information, Mr. Idowu Ajanaku, said each cabinet member had been directed to nominate a road project in their respective local government areas to ensure equitable development.
“These roads are outside the 2025 budgeted projects. They are supplementary interventions to touch communities and enhance connectivity,” Ajanaku added.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Hamidu Takuro, announced that the Council ratified the appointment of His Royal Highness Joseph Ilésanmí as the monarch of Sosan in Akoko South-East Local Government Area.
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