A Nigerian-born nurse and healthcare professional based in North America, Dr. Victoria Funmilayo Bandele, has turned her passion for giving back into reality with the establishment of the Julayo Medical Centre in Ijoka, Akure, bringing modern medical equipment, affordable healthcare services and renewed hope to residents of Ondo State.
The official opening of the health facility attracted government officials, traditional rulers, healthcare professionals and community leaders, who described the project as a milestone in the state’s healthcare delivery and a shining example of meaningful diaspora investment.
Founder of Julayo Global Health Foundation International, Dr. Bandele, said the vision behind the project was to make quality healthcare accessible to underserved communities while transferring global medical knowledge and skills to Nigeria.
An experienced labour and delivery nurse certified in Nigeria, Canada and the United States, Dr. Bandele noted that despite numerous challenges encountered while shipping medical equipment into Nigeria, the determination to improve healthcare in her home state kept the project alive.
She expressed appreciation to the Ondo State Commissioner for Health for his support throughout the process and acknowledged the contributions of former Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs, Prince Gboyega Adefarati, whose intervention helped facilitate the importation of the equipment.
She further expressed her gratitude to her husband in enabling her to do all she could do. ‘i would like to say a huge thank you to my husband Olarewaju Bandele a senior financial Analyst in California who spearheaded the building project with his brother Mr Igbekele Bamidele who grant me the permission in doing this.
“We worked tirelessly to bring these equipment into Nigeria. It was not an easy journey, but with the support of the government and God’s grace, we succeeded. Today, this clinic stands as a testament to our commitment to improving healthcare in Ondo State,” she said.
According to her, the foundation’s free medical outreach held a day before the commissioning recorded over 80 patients without any publicity.
She disclosed that healthcare volunteers attended to cases of diabetes, hypertension and malaria, an indication of the huge demand for affordable and accessible healthcare services in the community.
“The response has shown us that the people truly need this facility. This is only the beginning. We intend to expand our services and continue working with government and stakeholders to improve healthcare delivery,” she added.
The Ondo State Governor Dr. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa was represented by the Honourable Commissioner for Health, Dr. Banji Awolowo Ajaka recalled that officials first met Dr. Bandele in 2024 during an assessment of equipment needs at the Mother and Child Hospital, Akure.
According to Ajaka, Julayo Foundation fulfilled its promise by donating large quantities of modern medical equipment and consumables at no cost to government health facilities.
He described the gesture as unprecedented and commended the foundation for demonstrating genuine humanitarian service
Chairman of the occasion Prince Boye Ologbese, Immediate past Honourable Commissioner for Regional Integration and Diaspora Relations Ondo State at the Chairman of the occasion whose investment demonstrates the importance of knowledge and skills transfer.
He noted that the medical centre houses state-of-the-art equipment rarely found in many health facilities across the state, stressing that the project aligns with national efforts encouraging Nigerians abroad to contribute to the country’s development.
Adefarati praised Dr. Bandele for returning home to create employment opportunities for doctors, nurses and other healthcare workers while providing affordable medical services.
He urged other Nigerians in the diaspora to emulate her by investing in critical sectors capable of improving the lives of citizens.
Representing the Ondo State Commissioner for Regional Integration and Diaspora Relations, Dr. Olumide Asere described the initiative as a practical demonstration of diaspora engagement.
He said discussions at the recently concluded National Diaspora Day in Abuja focused extensively on the enormous contributions of Nigerian medical professionals abroad, adding that Julayo Medical Centre represents the kind of impact government seeks to encourage.
He expressed confidence that the centre would significantly improve healthcare access for residents of Ijoka and neighbouring communities.
Health officials also applauded the initiative.
Traditional institutions equally welcomed the development. The Deji of Akure Kingdom His royal Majesty Oba Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade Aladelusi, also known as Odundun II was ably presented,
described the medical centre as a major addition to healthcare infrastructure in the state capital, noting that residents would now have easier access to quality medical services without travelling long distances.
The Erelu of Akure Kingdom, Chief Mrs. Adekanye, praised Dr. Bandele for her selfless contribution and encouraged women across the state to emulate her commitment to community development.
Community leaders, including Chairman of Faparusi Layout, Ijoka Road, Chief Aro Araromi Aje, pledged the community’s support towards ensuring the success and security of the facility while appealing to government to improve access roads leading to the centre.
” Saying an historical event here because we now have an hostal with an incubator here in our community. Our women and children will no longer suffer such issue of premature birth again.
Similarly, Mr. Gabriel Oyedeji, Chairman of the Oda Health Centre Committee, and community elder, Chief Adebiyi Gabriel Idowu, expressed gratitude for the donation of modern medical equipment to the Oda Health Centre.
They noted that the equipment would greatly improve maternal and child healthcare services while reducing the need for patients to travel to Akure for specialised treatment.
Former Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Hon. Olaniyi Gbenga, described the establishment of the health centre as timely, especially amid rising healthcare costs, adding that affordable healthcare remains one of the greatest needs of ordinary Nigerians.
Also speaking, Board of Trustees member of Julayo Medical Foundation, Mrs. Labake Oladunjoye, described the turnout at the commissioning and the successful medical outreach as evidence that the community had embraced the initiative.
She reaffirmed the foundation’s commitment to expanding its interventions across Ondo State and eventually other parts of Nigeria.
In a vote of thanks, Mrs. Oladunjoye appreciated the Ondo State Government, traditional rulers, healthcare professionals, partners and members of the community for supporting the vision.
She said the foundation remains committed to delivering compassionate, accessible and quality healthcare while partnering stakeholders to build a healthier Ondo State.
For residents of Ijoka and surrounding communities, the opening of Julayo Medical Centre is more than the unveiling of another health facility. It represents hope, improved access to modern medical care and a powerful reminder that the Nigerian diaspora can play a transformative role in strengthening healthcare delivery at home.
