In a landmark Public-Private Partnership milestone, the Lagos State Government today took delivery of the newly constructed Custodian Accident and Emergency Centre (CAEC) in Epe, built and donated by Custodian Investment Plc through its Custodian Social Responsibility Foundation (CSRF). The edifice was officially handed over to the government at a colourful ceremony held within the premises of the Federal Medical Centre, Epe.
The event, which drew high-ranking government officials, traditional leaders, healthcare professionals and corporate executives, marked a major boost to healthcare infrastructure in Lagos’ rapidly developing Epe division. The emergency facility, described as a “Level IV Trauma Centre,” is designed to provide immediate triage and stabilization services in the event of accidents and other emergencies, especially critical in hard-to-reach areas on the outskirts of Lagos metropolis.
Speaking during the handover, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, expressed profound gratitude to Custodian Investment Plc and described the project as “a bold step forward in expanding access to urgent and life-saving medical services.” He noted that the facility represents what is possible when corporate vision aligns with government priorities and community needs.
Governor Sanwo-Olu commended the Ministry of Health for its collaboration in delivering what he called a “world-class facility,” and added that Epe’s strategic selection as the project’s location reflects government’s commitment to equitable healthcare distribution. “It goes to show that Epe is always on our mind,” he declared. “Every division in Lagos will get its due, but today is Epe’s turn.”
Describing the new centre as a critical link in the healthcare delivery chain, the Governor emphasized its role in stabilizing patients during the crucial first 24 to 48 hours after an incident. “We cannot predict when an accident will happen,” he said, “but with this centre in place, lives will be saved faster, and long-term care plans will be better structured.”
He also urged residents to take ownership of the facility, stressing the need for collective protection, responsible use, and support for medical personnel. “Let this centre remain a beacon of hope that outlives generations,” the Governor said.
Sanwo-Olu further used the occasion to appeal to other corporate organisations to emulate Custodian’s commitment to community development. “Government cannot do it alone. But we are always open to genuine partnership. We promise that we won’t waste your time or resources,” he pledged.
Earlier in his remarks, the State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, lauded the professionalism and collaborative spirit with which Custodian approached the project. “You didn’t impose your vision on us. You asked what we needed, and you listened. That’s how real partnerships should work,” he stated.
Highlighting the shared history with members of Custodian’s leadership team from his days at the International School Ibadan, Abayomi said the personal and professional networks helped energize the execution. “This building is not just concrete and glass. It’s a story of shared values and genuine social impact,” he added.
He also explained that the architectural design incorporated low carbon and energy-efficient elements, reflecting Lagos’ climate-resilient health infrastructure strategy. “What you see here is a masterpiece. It is not just a health centre, it is a future-facing facility,” he enthused.
Prof. Akin Abayomi, emphasized the life-saving role of trauma centres, describing them as facilities that “bring people back from the clutches of death.” He noted that such centres must be fully equipped and ready to respond instantly to severe incidents like road traffic accidents.
The Commissioner described the facility as fully aligned with Lagos’ Emergency Management Strategy and said it would become an integral part of the State’s expanding network of pre-hospital and trauma care units. “We’re already integrating it into our emergency response architecture,” he assured.
Highlighting the State’s strategic policy to establish trauma centres along major entry points into Lagos, Prof. Abayomi said the new facility marks a significant step in achieving that vision. He also referenced the launch of the Lagos Smart Health Information Platform (SHIP), which will help emergency responders locate available centres and equipment in real time. In addition, he revealed that under the Lagos State Health Insurance scheme, funds are being earmarked to cover emergency care for patients in the critical first 24 to 48 hours without requiring upfront payment further demonstrating the Sanwo-Olu administration’s commitment to equitable, accessible healthcare.
The Group Managing Director of Custodian Investment Plc, Mr. Wole Oshin, recounted the Foundation’s earlier unsuccessful attempt to establish a trauma centre along the Lagos-Ibadan expressway, and how that setback led to a new opportunity when he reconnected with his senior and Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi.
He explained that their conversation opened doors to align the initiative with the State’s vision for a network of trauma and emergency centres. “But after deep reflection and discussions with the government, we agreed that Epe would benefit more from such a facility,” he said. He noted that the eventual siting of the CAEC within a hospital environment in Epe was strategically chosen for ease of patient access and swift medical intervention.
Highlighting the foundation’s vision and motivation behind the impactful health intervention, Oshin noted that while Custodian Insurance had long been involved in vehicle insurance and repairs, the organization felt compelled to extend its impact by focusing on saving human lives, especially in emergency situations.
The Custodian GMD expressed appreciation to all stakeholders, including government officials, architects, and contractors who made the project a success. He praised the quick endorsement from Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and lauded the collaboration as a model quasi-public-private partnership (PPP) capable of transforming health infrastructure in Lagos State. Mr. Oshin concluded by expressing hope for more partnerships with the Lagos State Government in future developmental projects.
In her remarks, Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr. (Mrs.) Kemi Ogunyemi, expressed profound gratitude and pride at the commissioning and handover of the Custodian Accident and Emergency Centre in Epe. She described the event as the culmination of a shared vision between the Lagos State Government and Custodian Investment Plc to address emergency care gaps in the Epe axis and beyond, with a facility designed to save lives and improve critical care delivery.
Dr. Ogunyemi noted that the groundbreaking for the state-of-the-art Level IV Trauma Centre took place in May 2023, and praised the execution and quality of the completed structure. She emphasized that the Centre was more than just a building but a beacon of compassionate governance, equipped with modern zones for triage and emergency care, backed by sustainable features such as solar power and eco-friendly designs. She commended the strategic design tailored for rapid treatment within the crucial ‘golden hour’ of trauma cases.
Aligning the facility with the Health and Environment pillar of the State’s THEMES+ agenda, Dr. Ogunyemi reiterated Lagos State’s commitment to effective staffing, proper maintenance, and high-quality service delivery at the Centre. She thanked Custodian Investment Plc for their unwavering commitment to public welfare and concluded with a call to continued collaboration in building a healthier, safer, and more inclusive Lagos.
Also speaking at the event, the CEO of the Custodian Social Responsibility Foundation (CSRF), Mrs. Olubunmi Aderemi, reflected on the Foundation’s origins in vehicle insurance and the evolution of its social mission towards saving lives, moving from repairing vehicles to rescuing accident victims through critical health interventions.
She highlighted the CSRF’s longstanding focus on Community Development, Education, and Health, with prior successes including an e-library and computer center for public schools in Lagos. She however noted that the trauma centre project marks their largest and most impactful intervention yet.
Entirely funded through internal resources, she said the 20-bed Level IV trauma facility is designed to serve not just the local community but also commuters on the Sagamu-Benin expressway, where infrastructure development is rapidly expanding.
Mrs. Aderemi expressed deep appreciation to Governor Sanwo-Olu for his swift approval and to Prof. Akin Abayomi, Commissioner for Health, for his unwavering support. She reaffirmed CSRF’s commitment to continued partnerships and called on the Ministry of Health to ensure the centre operates effectively, ultimately saving lives and strengthening the health system of Lagos State.
