Lagos: Prominent Nigerians have praised Dr. Adedamola Dada, the outgoing Medical Director of the Federal Medical Centre, Ebute Metta, for his exceptional and transformative contributions to public healthcare. Among those commending him are Dr. Iziak Salako, Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare; ex-Ekiti Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi; and Prof. Babatunde Salako of the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Prof. Chris Bode, former Chief Medical Director of Lagos University Teaching Hospital, also joined other stakeholders in acknowledging Dada’s remarkable leadership in the health sector. The commendations came during a ceremony held by the hospital’s management to mark the end of Dada’s two-term tenure, concluding on Saturday, May 31.
Speaking on behalf of Salako, Prof. Wasiu Adeyemo, the Chief Medical Director of LUTH, expressed gratitude for Dada’s efforts in infrastructure development and quality care improvement at the hospital. He noted that Dada’s leadership rekindled Nigerians’ faith in the public health system and delivered real improvements across the board.
The event coincided with President Bola Tinubu’s second anniversary in office, highlighting the government’s focus on improving citizens’ health status. Salako thanked Dada for his exemplary service and for proving that Nigeria has the capacity to deliver quality healthcare. He praised Dada’s dedication and hard work, which he said changed the narrative in the country’s health sector.
Salako further emphasized the government’s commitment to saving lives, relieving pain, removing financial barriers, and ensuring universal healthcare access. He noted the nationwide primary healthcare upgrade aims to provide two functional Level 2 centres per ward by 2027 and highlighted the government’s expansion of tertiary facilities, including 12 new centres in the past two years.
On his part, Fayemi lauded Dada for his humanity-driven leadership, calling him a visionary who used teamwork to elevate service delivery. Fayemi recalled Dada’s contribution to his health policy during his gubernatorial campaign and described his work as selfless and transformative.
Bode described Dada as an innovative leader who added value to health services where Nigerians seek care. Delivering a lecture on ‘Sustaining Institutional Excellence through Innovative Leadership,’ Bode encouraged others to follow Dada’s example, acknowledging the retiring director’s legacy as an inspiration.
Salako, former Director-General of NIMR, also praised Dada’s visionary leadership and the transformation he brought to the hospital. Dada, who became Medical Director in 2017, led remarkable institutional progress, leaving a lasting impact on public healthcare in Nigeria.