A Lagos-based Non-Governmental organisation, the Cecilia Oyebola Foundation, has renovated and equipped the Neonatal Care Unit of the Enugu State University Teaching Hospital (ESUTH), Parklane, Enugu with the aim of preventing infections and improving survival chances for newborn babies .
The upgraded neonatal facility was inaugurated on Wednesday by the former Governor of Old Anambra State, Sen. Dr Jim Nwobodo and his wife Mrs Patricia Nwobodo as part of activities marking the 2026 Children’s Day celebration.
The foundation, which was established in honour of the late Mrs Cecilia Oyebola, mother of the Special Adviser to Governor Peter Mbah on Health, Dr Yomi Jaye, said the intervention was designed to support Enugu state government’s healthcare transformation agenda.
Cecilia Oyedele Foundation team
Speaking during the inauguration, Jaye explained that the foundation deliberately chose a long-term healthcare intervention over the usual Children’s Day celebrations involving entertainment and gift-sharing.
According to him, the neonatal ward represents the starting point of life for many children, making it critical to provide a safe and infection-free environment for newborns.
“I was born on Children’s Day and one of the things that I committed myself to do is that on Children’s Day, I need to make the children to be happy. And in different places where we work, where our businesses work, we try to see how we impact children, make them happ
L-R ,Royal father, Jim Jnr, Sen .Dr Jim Nwobodo , Mrs Patricia Nwobodo, Dr Tope Alade, SSG,Prof Chidiebere Onyia, Dr Jaye’s daughter , Chy and Dr Yomi Jaye
So we buy school bags, we do a couple of other things. But this year, two weeks ago, it just occurred to me that parties should happen again in park lane, and it is for children.
“So now we’ve been doing it every year. So, I mean, we did school bags, we did this, we did that, but then it goes off and then that’s it. So I said, no, we are not doing parties this year. And I told all my team members, we are not doing parties. Let’s come to Neonatal Ward, where the children start their life. Let’s see what we can do there,” he said.
He noted that after assessing the ward, the foundation identified infection prevention as a major concern that required urgent attention before introducing new medical equipment.
“So today, we have stopped something significant,- infections among newborns. In the next one year, we will measure the impact by looking at how many children survive and leave here healthy,” said.
Jaye emotionally recalled how the death of his “supposed twin brother” from neonatal infection years ago inspired his passion for neonatal healthcare improvement.
“I remember my mother crying in the neonatal ward, and I felt if we could help prevent such infections for other children, then we have done something meaningful,” he said.
Dr Jaye
He further stated that the foundation would continue to support healthcare and educational initiatives, including scholarship and award programmes for outstanding female students in community health and medicine.
“That’s what we’ve seen today. So the ParkLane Special Baby Unit is renovated based on the fact that my mom being a child teacher, was my first teacher and we felt that we have to do something as a legacy for her every year. So that’s the reason you are gathered here. And that’s just a beautiful story we have.,” he said .
Explaining more about the Neonatal Care unit Dr Jaye said ,”Being here, we’ve been able to reshape it such that it can follow infection prevention protocols for the newborn.
“You know, children, from small hair that they breathe in, from your hand that touches them, from everything, it can lead to infection that can kill them. Today was the birthday of the child that was supposed to be my almost twin brother that died. And I remember that night my mom was crying in the neonatal ward because of a simple infection. So I feel that if we could correct this for these children, we’ve done something massive.
“.So we’re able to get incubator, the modern phototherapy , It’s 360 degrees. I think it’s the first of its kind in this part. , the infusion pumps and syringe pumps, incubator., autoclave machine, BP with baby cots, among other things that are here.
Including Nurses in the project, Dr Jaye said they made rooms for them to be comfortable, installed Air Conditioner , wardrobes, lockers for the nurses.
Dr Tope Alade making her donation
He announced the donation made by his sister, Dr Mrs Tope Alade , who made and donated UK- style scrub for the nurses,
Linking the foundation ‘s gesture to Governor Peter Mbah’s health sector transformation agenda, Dr Jaye said, “All this with one mission, and that is to add to the line of His Excellency’s mission to change the face of healthcare system.
“You see Enugu International Hospital going on. You see the primary healthcare going on. You see recently our Parklane just add a huge jump in the admission quota from 120 to 350. It’s not anywhere in the country, Peter Mbah is interested in prevention rather than curing. You can see all the efforts he is making to make Enugu better”, he said..
Speaking, the representative of the Enugu State Governor, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, commended the Cecilia Oyedele foundation for complementing government’s efforts in repositioning the healthcare sector in the stsate.
SSG, Prof Chidiebere Onyia, representative of Gov Peter Mbah.
He described the intervention as reflective of the culture of service and commitment being promoted by the present administration.
He commended Dr Jaye for his dedication and contributions to the state’s healthcare reforms, noting that ESUTH Parklane had witnessed significant improvements under the current government.
Celebrating Dr Jaye who incidentally marked his birthday today,May 27Th, Prof Onyia said, “Maybe June, July will be three years he’s been part of my team and he’s shown exemplary, consistent conduct when it comes to performance and the most critical aspect of it is his character.
“He’s a very humble person. So when the speaker was talking about his brilliance, that’s wonderful, but it is his humanity that is the most important aspect of Dr. Yomi Jaye that we’re celebrating his birthday today. Enugu State celebrates you, and that’s why the governor thought it was a good idea for us to attend. And I want to thank our father, Dr. Jim Ifeanyi Nwobodo, and the wife for always supporting this government and supporting this governor. always looking for opportunities to support young people.
On his part, the former Governor of old Anambra State, Sen. Dr Jim Nwobodo, who inaugurated the facility alongside his wife, Mrs Patricia Nwobodo, applauded both the Cecilia Oyedele Foundation and the Enugu State Government for prioritising child healthcare.
“I thank God that I came here today to witness what has been done. The life of a child is everything. What you have done here will not be forgotten.
“Even overseas, I have not seen anything as good as this.
So, I can now say without equivocation, that Peter Mbah is working hard to make this state and using this young man, young man, you are doing very well”, Nwobodo said.
Speaking with newsmen, the chairman of Enugu south Local Government Area, Hon. Caleb Ani commended Dr Jaye , the management and staff of the Cecilia Oyedele Foundation for the donation. He also applauded the state Governor ,Dr Peter Mbah for reforming the health sector in the state.
Highlight of the occasion was the cutting of birthday cake in honour of Dr Jaye, who also used the occasion to celebrate his birthday.
