By Eric Elezuo

The world stood still on July 16 and 18, 2024 as acclaimed philanthropist, Sir Kesington Adebukunola Adebutu, gathered the who’s who in Nigeria politics, health and education to the unveiling of his world class fully equipped hospital, DIAMED CENTRE, in Lekki, Lagos.

The two-fold occasion was separated into the dedication of the building and facilities ceremony, and the official unveiling by the First Lady, Senator (Mrs) Oluremi Tinubu on separate days.

On the first day, the business magnate, who is also the Odole Odua of Yoruba land, and popularly known as Baba Ijebu, began the day with the assemblage of notable preachers of the gospel, who lavished prayers off accomplishments and growth on the business, as the philanthropist extended his business interests to the health sector.

During the brief dedication service held in the Chapel of the hospital, the officiating minister and Prelate of the Methodist Church Nigeria, His Eminence Oliver Aba, who was assisted by other notable officials including the Bishop of Lagos North, Right Rev. Gboyega Ohu; Conference Editor, Methodist Church Nigeria, Very Rev. Olusola Makindipe; Chaplain to the Prelate and Very Rev. Ime Ekpeyong, was praises to God for the wisdom to undertake the venture, and Sir Adebutu for hardening to the voice of wisdom to continue to make provisions for the welfare of the people.

It is worthy of note that the building of the hospital facility is coming barely three years after he commissioned a research centre at the University of Lagos, for the advancement of scientific theories, concepts and ideas.

Located in the Lekki area of Lagos, and coined from the words, Diagnostic and Medical, DIAMED CENTRE the hospital, which is decked with the latest of sophisticated medical gadgets and equipment for diagnosing and nipping ailments in the bud, as well as for treating the ailments within the shortest period of time, and with the highest medical standards in the serene and conducive environment.

In his brief response at the dedication service, Sir Adebutu humbly returned all glory to God, vowing that as long as he still has life in him, he will continue to give back to the society.

Also responding, Adebutu’s daughter, Dr. Abiola Olorede, in whose care the hospital is as the Chief Medical Director, thank God for the gift, and his father, who would not cease to be a prolific helping hand to all and sundry, including his biological children.

Other dignitaries that attended the dedication service are Aare Kola Oyefeso and Aare Dele Momodu.

The centre boasts of eight dialysis machines with floating tables, 160kg weight MRI equipment, the only 3D mammogram equipment in the country among a whole lot.

About 48 hours later, the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, in company of the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Mr. Tunji Alausa; the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, among many others arrived for the official unveiling of the edifice.

SIR (DR) KESINGTON ADEBUTU’S SPEECH

In his welcome address, Sir Adebutu, who os the Chief Executive Officer of Premier Lotto Limited and Founder Kesington Adebukunola Adebutu Foundation (KAAF), reiterated his vow to continue dishing out good deeds until his last breath.

He also went down memorylane to recall how the journey began, and also extended appreciation to notable personalities that made the project a reality including former governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babatunde Fashola.

He said: “I thank His Excellency Babajide Sanwo-Olu and other state actors, for making it to be a part of this commissioning ceremony. We would not forget this gesture in a hurry. It would amount to an act of ungratefulness not to acknowledge the invaluable assistance rendered by the former Governor of Lagos State, His Excellency Raji Fashola SAN during the perfection of tightening of this land.

“On a Wednesday I went to him, I put across my problem. He made a call but I didn’t know whom he was speaking to but within 48 hours, everything was perfected. We all have a collective responsibility to bring back the good old days. Indeed our various past is one of the centage that motivated the setting up of Diamed Centre.

This ceremony being the commissioning of Diamed Hospital for my daughter, Dr. (Mrs.) Abiola Olorede, in whom I am much pleased as I am equally to all that the good Lord has given to me to father and mentor. I must appreciate the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Her Excellency Distinguished Senator Oluremi Tinubu CON, who despite very tight schedule has come all the way to commission this project.

“I told people that my association with the Tinubus dated back over two decades; Mummy, I thank you very much.

“I cannot but acknowledge my friends and all invited guests, especially the traditional rulers. I thank you all for gracing this occasion, and I wish us God’s peace in our various undertakings.

“But before I take my seat, I thank God Almighty for all his mercies on my family. Many people work harder than us, not having the grace, not having the fraction but by the mercies we are having from God. When we started this project, we made a budget. The budget went up by 50/100 percent, it got to a stage when I thought perhaps the project would be grounded, but for His mercies to my family, everything went through and today, we created this convenience, we thank God.”

FIRST LADY, OLUREMI TINUBU’S SPEECH

Also in her speech, the special guest of honour, Senator Tinubu acknowledged Sir Adebutu for his mentorship lifestyle, thanking him for being a source of inspiration to mankind.

She said: “I am delighted to be here today at the commissioning of Diamed Centre, here in Lekki, Lagos State.

“I am here to honour a great man who is also a member of the Board of Trustees of the New Era Foundation, Sir Dr. Kesington Adebukunola Adebutu CFR, an industrialist, a renowned philanthropist and business mogul. As we gather in this multi-specialist centre, we are not just here to commission a building, but we are ushering in a new era of advanced medical care and innovation in Nigeria. I must say that proper diagnosis is the bedrock of quality health care delivery, therefore, this facility will further strengthen Nigeria’s effort in repositioning the health care sector, and aid quality health care delivery for Nigerians; this truly gladdens my heart.

“This event is also crucial as advanced imaging services plays crucial role in timely diagnosis. I congratulate the entire board, management and staff of Diamed Centre,  particularly the chairman of Diamed Centre, Dr. Kesington Adebutu CFR for this noble endeavor and the very many humanitarian activities you have embarked upon over the years for the greater good of our beloved country. I thank you sir and I celebrate you.

“As I was informed, the vision and mission of Diamed Centre and its position to offer comprehensive evidence-based medical services across various specialties and its mission in the four point agenda in the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, which are;
1. Improving governance and leadership
2. Improving population health outcomes
3. Medical industrialization unlocking valid chains
4. Health security enhancing medical preparedness.

“A dream towards obtaining universal health coverage in package of health care that is efficient, effective and affordable is the responsibility and duty of all. This dream cannot be attained without engaging the private sector and the full activation of health insurance. Public -private partnerships stands at the forefront of this transformative efforts, merging resources and expertise to elevate care standards.

“As we look to the future, collaborations across sectors, borders are necessary to drive innovations, share knowledge and to improve patient outcome. Diamed Cenre exemplifies what can be achieved when we work together; the government, the private sector and the educated health care professionals.

Once again, I congratulate the chairman, the entire board, the CEO, management and the staff of Diamed Centre. Please continue to raise the standard even as new grounds are explored in medical technology. May this center serve as a place of healing and hope for many years to come. God bless you all and God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

In a goodwill message, the Chief Executive Officer of Wema Bank, Moruf Oseni, remarked that “It is a thing of pride to witness, especially as we at Wema Bank started our relationship with DIAMED almost a decade ago. I wish you great success.”

In her usual characteristics, Tinubu while cutting the tape to signify the opening to business of the facility, offered a short prayer of thanks to God, and expressing delight at the remarkable wonder, saying “We thank God for this wonderful facility. We pray that all those brought in here would be healed. I commission DIAMED Centre to God and to Nigerians, our neighbours, Africa and the world.

In his vote of thanks, the Chief Medical Director, Mrs Olorede expressed high level appreciation to her dad and immense gratitude and delight at being an integral part of the momentous occasion, saying “It is a thing of immense gratitude to the Lord, and a great delight to have the privilege of being part of this exciting ceremony.”

THE DIAMED CENTRE

The Diamed Centre is a four storey building of five floors, sitting on a magnificent expanse of land in the heart of Lekki, accommoting state of the art equipment for easy and speech diagnosis and healing of diverse ailments.

On the Ground floor are the PHARMACY, CHAPEL, EMERGENCY WARD, IT-SECURITY UNIT, KITCHEN, and STAFF QUARTERS.

On the first floor are RECEPTION FOR RADIOLOGY DEPARTMENT, MAMMOGRAM, CONSOLE ROOM, X-RAY ROOM, IMMUNOLOGY UNIT, MAGNUMS FOR BLOOD SAMPLES and more.

The second floor is home to CONFERENCE ROOM, BOARDROOM, PEDIATRIC CONSULTING ROOM, OUTPATIENTS ROOM, OPHTHALMOLOGY SUITE, CONSULTING ROOM, VIP CONSULTING ROOM, WAITING ROOM and PROCEDURE ROOM.

On the third and fourth floors are found the ADMINISTRATION OFFICE, DOCTORS QUARTERS, OPERATING ROOM 2, POST OPERATING ROOMS, PHYSIOTHERAPY ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT, DENTAL DEPT, ICU ROOM, VIP (DIAMOND) WARD, PLATINUM WARD, DIALYSIS ROOM and the offices of the Chief Medical Director and her personal staff.

Without an iota of doubt, the Diamed Centre is massive idea turned to reality, and boosts of budding, energetic and thoroughbred doctors such as Dr. Williams Uwalaka. There’s also a superb facility manager, Mr. Joseph Aderoju, in charge of the equipment and facilities.

The world hails Sir (Dr) Kesington Adebukunola Adebutu for his giant strides in health, education and general welfare.