TheCable

The University of Medical Sciences, Ondo, has unveiled the Muhammad Ali Pate International School of Public Health which is set to commence full operation in 2019.

In a statement on Friday, Temitope Oluwatayo, spokesperson of the institution, said the decision was reached at the first full meeting of the board of the school.

The school of health was named after Muhammad Ali Pate, a professor and former minister of state for health.

Oluwatayo said the board deliberated extensively on the plan for curriculum development, international collaboration, infrastructural development plans and fund raising ideas as the school gears up to commence operation.

Friday Okonofua, vice-chancellor of the university, described the establishment of the school of public health as an “icing on the cake” and a step to improve health care policies and practices in Africa.

“The naming of the school after this noble Nigerian has received wide acclaim from the government and the good people of Ondo state as well as from those who know the significance of the contributions that Pate has made to the principles of health governance in our dear country”, Okonofua said.

Pate, chairman of the board, expressed his readiness to contribute to the success of the school.

“I really want to state how honoured I feel by the decision of Ondo state government and the university to associate me with this undertaking,” he said.

“I also promise my whole commitment to help in whatever ways I can to make this a successful undertaking for the University of Medical Sciences, for the people of Ondo state, for our country, our continent and for humanity.”

The board has Okonofua as the vice-chairman and Walter Osungbemiro as secretary. Members of the board are Adesegun Fatusi, Mike Egboh, Adhiambo Odaga, Eugene Kongnyuy, Dayo Adeyanju, Dabesaki Mac-Ikemenjima.

Others are Benjamin Uzochukwu, M.C. Asusu, Roseangela Nwuba, Yemisi Jeff-Agboola, Muyi Aina and Muntaqa Umar Sadiq.