Do not demolish Randle Hospital
By Major-General Tajudeen Olanrewaju rtd
There is always a day after government. Where are yesterday’s men?
Recently there is a string of social media posts purporting the imminent demolition of Randle Hospital in Surulere.
I still believe the story is verged in the realm of speculation and untruth. For this will amount to reckless abuse of public office and a trampling upon public trust.
Randle Hospital was built in 1961 by the then Lagos Primary Health Commission to honor an incredible man called Chief JK Randle.
Chief Randle was a Lagosian original who packed into a very short life an unbelievable tome of achievements stretching from philanthropy, cultural revivalism, deliberate social intervention to alleviate the sufferings of the poor, pouring his wealth into medical fields to find new cure for tuberculosis at the outbreak of this deadly disease, including rabies and many other diseases then unknown to medical treatment.
He was also a super athlete , winning medals for Nigeria at the Olympics. He was quite a man about town, a horse racer, a socialite an author of veritable distinction.
Chief Randle was indeed a demonstrable evident of a Lagosian who invested his wealth into his community for the greater good of all.
In honor of this Lagosian giant, the Lagos Primary Health Commission built an hospital for maternal health care, primary health care issues and sundry affliction and named the institution after him for his immense contributions to his society.
It is now being alleged that Honorable Gbajabiamila, the Chief of Staff to the President, has an interest in the demolition and reconstruction of this Lagosian heritage. I do not believe it. This would amount to the destruction of a 64 year old monument, a gradual eradication of the Lagosian treasured historical landmark. If true, it smacks of partisan ribaldry.
If anyone is interested in widening the pool of our primary health centers, there are so many government lands available within that corridor that can serve the purpose. Part of the enormous spread of the National Arts theater which straddles Surulere, Mainland, Apapa and Lagos Island local governments can easily be carved out to build another primary healthcare center for our people.
Please, do not destroy another Lagosian heritage in the craze for commercial thoughtlessness and partisan aggrandizement.
There is always a day after government.
Where are yesterday’s men?
*Major -General Tajudeen Olanrewaju rtd, Former Minister of Communications, Alternate Chairman of de Renaissance Patriots
