The Oyo state government on Thursday received a maternity ward built by Engr. Kunle Akinkugbe, a Citizen of France and friend of Oyo State Health Initiative, for the use of residents.
The maternity ward, which was named after the late Olivier Mercier following his contributions in the realization of the project, has twelve beds, antenatal hall, call room for doctors, nurses station, solar power amongst other essential facilities for effective operations. 
Speaking at the Commissioning of the maternity Ward, held at the General Hospital, Moniya, Ibadan, the state commissioner for health, Dr. Bode Ladipo lauded the donor for the intervention which he described as one of the basic necessities needed in life .
He expressed the readiness of the Oyo state government to accord the donor and his team necessary support towards the actualisation of the second phase of the project within the facility.
He explained that the government’s private intervention initiative in the health sector has yielded another positive result with the commissioning of a well equipped maternity ward .
Ladipo, charged staffers of the hospital and other health workers in the state to remain committed to their duties, so as to make members of their localities feel their impacts.
In his remarks, the Chairman, Oyo State Hospitals Management Board, Dr. Gbola Adetunji, said the present administration will continue to create platforms that promote private intervention initiatives for quality health care delivery in the state.
He assured the donor of prompt intervention on his other projects at points of need, adequate use and maintenance of the maternity ward.
He hinted that concerted efforts will be made towards expanding the land scope of the hospital through collaboration with the concerned ministry for the development of the facility.
Earlier, the donor of the maternity ward, Engr. Kunle Akinkugbe explained that the conceptualisation of the maternity ward emanated as a result of the passion and professionalism displayed by some health workers in the state, despite the working condition during one of his visits to some health facilities.
He encouraged individuals and organisations to contribute their quota to the development of their localities in whatever capacity.
“We thank the Oyo state government for buying into this idea. This project provides an opportunity to re-acquaint myself with the hospital and Ibadan.
“It is our belief that the project will help improve maternal and child indices in the hospital and encourage workers to remain a little longer on the job.
“The second phase of the project is real and we look forward for continuous support from the Oyo state government and staffers of this hospital”
Present at the event were the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr. Alaruru Adeyanju, his Hospitals Management Board Counterpart, Dr. Adebisi Ayoola, Director, Medical Services, Hospitals Management Board, Dr Femi Adesanya, Chief Consultant , General Hospital, Moniya, Dr Olanrewaju Adeniji amongst others.