By, Avant Garde

A major legislative victory has been recorded by Senator Yunus Abiodun Akintunde, as the Senate passes the Federal Medical Centres Act (Amendment) Bill, 2026, establishing a Federal Medical Centre in Ona-Ara, Oyo State.

The bill, which seeks to include the Ona-Ara 100-Bed Mother and Child Hospital into the Federal Medical Centres system, was passed through Third Reading on Tuesday.

Senator Akintunde’s achievement demonstrates his commitment to improving healthcare delivery and the well-being of the people.

The proposed medical centre is expected to create employment opportunities and boost socio-economic development in the area.

During plenary, the Senate received and considered the report of the Committee on Health (Secondary & Tertiary) under the Order Paper item titled Presentation and Consideration of Reports.

The report was presented by Ipalibo Harry Banigo, Chairperson of the Committee, who moved that the Senate receive and consider the report on the consolidated amendment Bills.

The consolidated Bills sponsored by various Distinguished Senators seek to amend the Federal Medical Centres Act, 2022 by providing for the establishment of additional Federal Medical Centres (FMCs) to complement existing healthcare facilities across the country and improve access to quality medical services for Nigerians.

The proposed additional Federal Medical Centres contained in the consolidated amendment Bills included:

1. Federal Medical Centre, Kwaya Kusa, Borno State (SB.853), sponsored by Mohammed Ali Ndume.
2. Federal Medical Centre, Talasse, Gombe State (SB.866), sponsored by Anthony Siyako Yaro.
3. Federal Medical Centre, Mbake Ishieke, Ebonyi State (SB.909), sponsored by Onyeka Peter Nwebonyi.
4. Federal Medical Centre, Dekina, Kogi State (SB.932), sponsored by Jibrin Isah.
5. Federal Medical Centre, Rigassa, Kaduna State (SB.949), sponsored by Usman Lawal Adamu.
6. Federal Medical Centre, Kazaure, Jigawa State (SB.960), sponsored by Hussaini Babangida Uba.
7. Federal Medical Centre, Ona Ara, Oyo State (SB.1017), sponsored by Yunus Abiodun Akintunde.

In a response, constituents in their number who spoke to newsmen, described the senator as a future-eyed leader, pledging their loyalty to his re-election for a continued improved plans, policies and development backed legislations for the senatorial district.