The Nation Newspaper

Tag: mission

  • Promoting entrepreneurship through trade mission

    The Ogun State government, in partnership with ASUA International Business Network, United  States (US) and Ogun State Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines & Agriculture (OGUNCCIMA), embark on a visit to the US in furtherance of stronger trade relationship. DANIEL ESSIET looks at the impact of the visit on entrepreneurship.

    The industrial giants of the economy are largely small and medium businesses. Such companies will represent nearly 70 per cent of the nation’s enterprises. And there are good reasons to suspect that these companies will remain a more significant part of the economy.

    With the  state of the economy,  empowering them is fast becoming a crucial long-term priority—not only for job creation , but also for would-be investors that must ultimately decide whether and how to support this fast-growing segment of the economy.

    To  this  end, the  government, through the state Ministry of Commerce and Industry,  ASUA International  Business Network, United  States  (U.S) and  Ogun State Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines & Agriculture (OGUNCCIMA) took  some  business owners and entrepreneurs on trade mission to  the U.S  early  this  month.

    The  fact  that so many entrepreneurs  were involved demonstrated  the commitment  of the government to develop entrepreneurship by exposing Nigerians to the markets and manufacturing capabilities of the US and learn from leading global companies using the latest technology and business management tools. One  of the beneficiaries  is Alhaji Wasiu Olaleye, Treasurer, OGUNCCIMA.

    Speaking  with  The Nation, Olaleye said  the trip  exposed them as  business owners   to  skills on  how  to  manage their businesses more effectively through improved branding, technology and logistics.

    He said the mission demonstrated the   continued commitment of the  U.S  to help business become more competitive to achieve inclusive and resilient growth for the  economy.

    The  trip, he  explained,  afforded them  the  opportunity to seek  guidance  on  what  capacities  they need  to acquire  as   entrepreneurs as they seek new markets beyond their borders.

    As global competition intensifies, Olaleye said  the programme provided an avenue for  them  to learn  about  best practices and tips on how to maximise opportunities and address constraints as  business  persons.

    He  noted, for instance,  that  e-commerce or technology-enabled commerce, lowers the barriers to trade and levels the playing field for enterprises of all sizes, especially SMEs, who lamented  that  small  businesses  in Nigeria have not been able to leverage   on  such  platforms to reach consumers from global markets .

    Deputy  Treasurer, Mrs  Cynthia Sake  noted  that  the prosperity of SMEs is so critical to job creation, praising the bold reforms carried  out  by  the Ogun State  government  to  improve  the business environment. She said the reforms are a great step in the right direction, adding  that  the  major breakthrough is simplifying procedures for micro- and small business owners, who do   register their businesses within the state. Such reforms, she noted,  is crucial in an  economy where a growing number  of  young  people  are  joining  the ranks of the unemployed, adding  that  there  is  a  need to support the establishment of new businesses to create jobs.

    Comparing the country  to the  U.S, she  observed   that  Nigeria  has some of the biggest barriers and constraints to private business  and  changes to business laws may help pave the way for a more entrepreneurial future. According  to her, Ogun State is  naturally fit for new businesses, with the  government ready to listen and  promote  a thriving economy and  a very successful high-tech sector.

    Concerning the  trip, Mrs  Saka  said  it  afforded  them  the  opportunity to see  the  concentration of innovation and entrepreneurship.   According to her, the influx of intelligence, cultivated by public-private entrepreneurial incubators, has spawned a dynamic environment that changed the business culture of the country.   According  to her, the trade mission could   result  in a memorandum of understanding (MoU), which included incentives for technology collaboration, resulting in business partnerships. As business people, she said,  they were able  to  learn  21st Century negotiation skills and business development solutions that would help  them maximise revenue, generate growth and develop a sustainable competitive edge domestically and internationally.

    According to  her, the  Ogun State  government, OGUNCCIMA, the Africa-U.S.A International Business Network in association with the Warwick International Business Institute facilitated  the  trip.

    A member of the group, Mr Aderemi Ogunyemi said the group participated  in business discussions and meetings with U.S entrepreneurs, adding  that  they  are enthusiastic to do business with their Nigerians  counterparts. According to him, the insights gained from the trip will have a major impact on industrial success.

    The  spread of digital technologies, he noted,  has  raised the productivity of business and agriculture, redefine how services are delivered in the U.S. He added  that  the  government  need to address barriers such as infrastructure to create an environment where entrepreneurship can flourish.

  • Mission to save lives

    For three days, members of the University of Benin (UNIBEN) chapter of the Christian Medical and Dental Association Students (CMDAS) were at Ugbokoniro Village in Orhiomwon Local Government Area of Edo State for a medical mission. Many residents enjoyed free treatment, reports EDDY UWOGHIREN (300-Level Medicine and Surgery).

    The life of Mr Ebo Uwumangbe, 62, will never remain the same again. Gone are his pains. Uwumangbe was struck with Hydrocele, a medical condition that results from accumulation of fluid in his scrotal sac. To drain the fluid requires surgery, which Uwumangbe could not afford. He resigned to fate. Then, the condition worsened and Uwumangbe developed a hunch back.

    His family could not hold back their joy last weekend when Uwumangbe was wheeled out of the theatre after hours of surgery. He was among the residents of Ugbokoniro village in Orhiomwon Local Government Area of Edo State, who benefited from the rural medical outreach of the University of Benin (UNIBEN) chapter of Christian Medical and Dental Association Students (CMDAS).

    The three-day event saw no fewer than 191 villagers getting free treatment. The first day featured a crusade at a primary school, where villagers watched a documentary on the life of Jesus Christ in Pidgin.

    In his sermon titled: Escape, Dr Paul Ikhuronian of the Department of Child Health at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), told the congregation that the only escape route in life was to live a life at peace with God. He admonished them to resist evil and look unto God.

    “It is high time you moved away from idols. Get close to God and when you are sick, consult a doctor to escape from the worldly disease. Self-medication is bad and can lead to death,” Ikhuronian said.

    After the sermon, 121 villagers came out for altar call, seeking forgiveness and willing to accept Jesus as their Lord.

    On the second day, the students went from house to house, educating the villagers on prevailing diseases and ways of avoiding them. Thereafter, they rendered free medical check-ups and drug distribution to the locals, during which some of them were tested for blood glucose, Body Mass Index (BMI) and blood pressure. Others were counselled on how to keep fit.

    Free minor surgeries, including tooth extraction, cleaning and refilling of tooth, among others, were held. Those with chronic terminal illness were given referrals to the General Practice Clinic (GPC) of Teaching Hospital. The students also shared free clothes, bags, slippers, tooth brush and toiletries to the villagers.

    As her son was brought out of the theatre after he underwent herniorraphy and hernia repair, Madam Atiti Adesogbe, 82, jumped into the surgical theatre against the instructions given to the patients’ relatives not to do so. Reason: she was overjoyed after her son was healed of hernia. Mama Adesogbe laid her hands on the team of consultant surgeons from the Teaching Hospital and said in Bini: Uwese, Osaghafiangbeuwa. Ewean noma wa khian gha mien, ise (Thank you, God bless you. Only good things will come your way, amen).

    The Secretary of the association, Tega Igben, said the aim of the event was to reach out to the sick and the less privileged as Jesus did. “The outreach is an annual event of the association. We have discovered that a few persons present themselves for the check-up in the hospital and thus, we deemed it fit to bring a mobile hospital close to them,” he said.

    Winifred Illeubey, a first-time participant, said the outreach was a life-changing experience that provided her an opportunity to demonstrate what she learnt in class. “From interactions with the patients, I discovered that there is high child mortality and poverty in this village. I never believed high blood pressure is rampant among the poor until saw the cases.”

    She said the outreach had developed her interest in Community Medicine, noting that she would investigate the cause of high blood pressure among rural dwellers when she gets to final year. “I discovered that many of the people here live from hand to mouth. My heart bleeds for them. What will those with high blood pressure do when their drugs get exhausted, considering the fact that many of them do not have jobs? Government should wake up to its responsibility because people are dying in the rural areas,” she added.

    Madam Atiti, who was among those who got born again, praised the medical students for the event. She said: “After I gave my life to Jesus last night, I have been having peace. I have forgiven the doctor that failed to properly carry out the surgery on my son. Since Jesus forgave me my sins, there is no reason for me to hold grudges against anyone. I will practice what the Bible says.”

    The team had 100 students of medicine and surgery, dentistry and pharmacy, four consultant surgeons and five dental surgeons.

  • Mission to save lives

    Mission to save lives

    Members of the Pharmaceutical Association of Nigeria Students (PANS), the University of Benin (UNIBEN) chapter, have marked their 35th annual Health Week with a sensitisation rally and donation of free drugs to residents of the institution’s host community. EZEKIEL EFEOBHOKHAN (300-Level Pharmacy) reports.

    The Uselu Market in Benin City, Edo State capital, received unusual visitors last Monday. Commercial activities were halted for more than two hours when Pharmacy students of the University of Benin (UNIBEN) hosted the traders to a talk show on health and hygiene.

    The students, under the aegis of Pharmaceutical Association of Nigerian Students (PANS), have marked their 35th annual Health Week. They sensitised the market women on preventable ailments, such as malaria, ulcer and Ebola. They also held free medical check ups and distributed drugs free to the traders.

    The event started with a walk round the Ugbowo Campus, during which the students enlightened their colleagues on how to stay healthy and free the campus of diseases. They moved to the institution’s host community of Oluku, where they gave free drugs to the residents.

    Addressing a crowd of market women in Pidgin English, Ehidiamen Olobor, a 300-Level student, told them to improve their eating habit. He explained why they must sleep well and eat at the right time to prevent the acid in the stomach from corroding the stomach lining, which causes ulcer.

    “I beg, make una dey sleep well well. Also, as una dey sell food so, make una dey use the food wen una dey sell take care of una self. So, una no go get ulcer,” he said.

    Ehidiamen also told the women to avoid stagnant water from their environment and practise hygiene to prevent anopheles mosquitoes from causing malaria. After the talk, he distributed the drugs to the market women.

    Praising the students for the health education, a trader, who simply gave her name as Mrs Osaiyi, said: “I thank God for the pharmacy students wey come educate us and give us medicine to treat malaria. I go try eat and sleep well well so that I no go fall sick.”

    The PANS President, Samuel Ugwumba, said the spate of malaria in the southern part of the country inspired the sensitisation rally to enlighten the people and check preventable deaths. “This event was held in memory of our colleague, Hulera Momoh, a 500-Level student, who died from ulcer complications. We took it upon us to educate students and members of the host community about the disease,” he said.

    The chairperson of the event’s planning committee, Dianne Ofeimun, praised companies that sponsored the event through donation of drugs and other medical equipment.

    She said: “We are grateful to Emzor Pharmaceuticals, Big Joe Waters, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Hospital and Notre Dam Water for providing drugs for the event. They have touched the lives of the people in Benin City.”

    Meanwhile, the Anti-Drug Misuse and Abuse Programme (ADMAP), an arm of the association, held another rally to enlighten female students on Ugbowo Campus on the importance of keeping their body hygienic. The rally took place at the car park of the Hall 1, a female hostel.

    Speaking to the audience, the ADMAP chairperson, Jennifer Otakhor, told the students that being hygienic was the only way to maintain a healthy body and good reproductive cycle.

    She said: “There is nothing like toilet disease; we all have to take proper care of ourselves and the environment we live in. We are supposed to use the right soap to wash our most intimate parts. The use of medicated soaps affects the natural body and can lead to infections.”

    ADMAP recommended Lactasyd, a special soap used by women in washing their intimate parts. The group also carried out free medical checks on the students, checking their blood pressure, weight and height determination, Body Mass Index (BMI) and malaria status.

    Speaking to CAMPUSLIFE, a student from the Faculty of Science, Success Idele, said: “Pharmacy students are wonderful people among us. I now know that there is nothing like a toilet disease but good hygiene is all that is needed to be free of diseases. This is free education from our colleagues.”

  • ‘My mission is to solve maths problems’

    ‘My mission is to solve maths problems’

    Moshood Abiola, a Mathematics Education student of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), has developed a Mathematics Board Game, which he calls Math Race 1. He designed the game to help children understand mathematics. The 400-Level student tells TOSIN ADESILE how he came about the idea. 

    How did you come up with the idea of Mathematics Board Game and what is it all about?

    I discovered children love to have fun by playing games. Then, I conceptualised the idea when I was in SSS 1. I have always been wondering about the possibility of a mathematics board game. Ever since then, I have been working on it. Fortunately for me, I got the right pattern and design of the game when I went to urinate at the Elkanemi Hall of the University of Lagos. The design of the toilet tiles gave me the clue on how the pattern should look like. Math Race 1 is a mathematics board game for primary school children within Basic 2 to 6. The game will improve their knowledge in addition, subtraction, multiplication and division at the same time while they have fun.

    What do you hope to achieve through it?

    First, it is to solve the problem of abstract nature in Mathematics. It will also get children excited about mathematics. Secondly, it will make everybody to have sound mathematical foundation.

    How far have you gone with the idea?

    The sweetest thing is that it keeps getting easier. After the Math Race 1 was unveiled, I have also invented Math Race 2 for junior secondary school. Currently, I am working on a new game called Math War, which will be completed by the end of this month.

    Are you aware if this is not a duplication of existing idea?

    I am 100 per cent sure that nobody has done this. It took me 10 years to invent this game. I strategised and re-strategised until I finally got the solution.

    How many players can play the game?

    A maximum of six players can play at a time. It can also be played by one person. But the more the players, the more interesting it will be. It is also a family game. Parents can play with their kids. It can also be used for school competition.

    How have you been coping with your academics, given your innovative mind?

    It has been easy, considering the fact that what I do is connected to education. I spent one hour in the laboratory every day. Laboratory in this context is anywhere. It can be my hostel, class or any place I may find myself. I make sure I spent my time, thinking about a problem and finding a way to solve it.

    Do you have a role model?

    God is the best inventor. So, God is my role model.

    What is your philosophy of life?

    Find a problem and solve it.

    What would you be doing in a few years?

    I want to be a business man.

  • Power Park Mission church’s camp meeting

    The Holy Ghost Fire Camp of the Power Park Mission Church International holds from August 17-24 at 32, Oluwakemi, Temitayo Street off Shangoremi lane Powerline Isheri-Berger, Lagos.

    The theme of the event is Thy Kingdom come (Luke 11:2).

    The Chief host, Apostle Dennis Elum, said the programme is for spiritual uplift of participants.

  • Abu, Uzezi state mission to Warri Wolves

    Abu, Uzezi state mission to Warri Wolves

    • Seasiders reveal identity of new signings

    Azzez Abu and Uzezi Oghenebo have stated their missions to Warri Wolves after they and four others put pen to paper on deals with the club till the end of the season.

    Abu, a member of the national Beach Eagles team, crossed over from Kwara United while Uzezi joined the Seasiders from Union Bank.

    Both players expressed happiness at the prospect of featuring for the 2013 Federation Cup finalists and reiterated their desires to ensure that Warri Wolves return to the continent.

    “I am happy about this move and very confident that I will do well in Warri. I thank Kwara United’s management and players for the opportunity I had with the club. This is a new experience for me and I would like to make the best of it,” an elated Abu told SportingLife.

    On his part Uzezi promised to make the Seasiders happy with his form both on and off pitch.

    Warri Wolves have also added Ifeanyi Ede, formerly of Enyimba, Tega Irihose, Gift Atulewa and Adama Coulibaly to their squad to ensure that the club finish the season higher than their present seventh position.

  • Medical mission breathes life into Osun rural community

    Medical mission breathes life into Osun rural community

    Imesi-Ile in Obokun Local Government Area of Osun State recently came alive when some medical experts from the United States visited the sleepy and an agrarian community to attend to some of its ailing residents.

    Hundreds of people, even far beyond the community’s borders, besieged the town’s almost disused health facility, which is under the management of the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, Ile-Ife.

    It was a very rare opportunity for the residents of the community, who are suffering from various life-threatening diseases and ailments to come forward for cure – all for free.

    Dr. Remi Saseun, an indigene who lives in the United States, led 24 medical personnel, including doctors, theatre nurses, surgeons, laboratory scientists and pharmacists, for the exercise.

    According to Saseun, the medical personnel were in the country under the aegis of the Association of Medical Physicians in America (AMPA). He said the immediate past medical intervention of the association was in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

    Saseun, who disclosed that more than N8 million was expended on medication for the five-day free mission, said two resident doctors and a matron in the health facility joined them to treat the people.

    He said they spent extra thousands of naira in procuring anti-malaria drugs from Nigeria because in the United States people don’t have malaria and, therefore, no drugs for such disease in that country. Within three days of the programme, 921 patients were treated. There were 46 surgeries.

    On top of the list of ailments treated were eye problems, such as cataract, diabetes, high blood pressure and hypertension as well as arthritis.

    The officials of the hospitals declined comment because they said they were not authorised to speak but few of the patients expressed joy for the mission which they said had restored their hope and helped them overcome some of their health challenges.

    For instance,  Kehinde Adesiyan, an indigene of the town, lamented that there was no functional government hospital in the community to treat ailments, saying they most times travel as far as Osogbo, Ilesa and Ile-Ife before the residents could receive medical attention for their ailments.

    A refrigerator technician in the community, Peter Aluko; a petty trader, Madam Eunice Esan and a retired civil servant, Pa Adebowale Ajiboye, said they had tremendously benefitted from the medical mission.

    The Secretary of the Imesi-Ile Progressive Association, Pa Jacob Babajide Awowale said, that the people would always be grateful to God and those behind the initiative, particularly, Dr. Remi Saseun.

    However, he joined Dr. Saseun to appeal to governments, both at the state and local government levels, to come to the aid of the people in the rural areas and ensure that they have access to medical care like those in the urban communities.

    “What will  make a big difference in the lives of the people in the rural areas is very small and if various authorities can help these people, their quality of lives would improve and it would make them contribute significantly to national development,” Saseun advised.

     

  • My mission is to reorientate women and young people

    My mission is to reorientate women and young people

    Morayo Afolabi-Brown is a broadcaster with vitality and élan, whose journey to the top can be attributed to God’s grace and mercy. Daughter of the late Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) chief, Alao Aka-Bashorun, Morayo is deputy director of programmes at TVC and host of popular breakfast show ‘Your View,’ which she anchors alongside a retinue of beautiful and cerebral ladies. She spoke with Hannah Ojo about how she is using television to reorientate Nigerian women.

     

     

    TELL us about your background?

    I was born in Lagos; both of my parents are Lagosians. I went to Corona Primary and Secondary school and had my degrees at Rutgers University in the United States. I moved back home in 2004.

    How did the journey into broadcasting begin for you?

    I had always dreamt of being on TV but I knew I couldn’t just get on television just like that. And so I knew I needed to learn the ropes. So the first thing I did was to look for jobs in media-related agencies. One of my first jobs in Nigeria was with a company called CMT Connect, a PR agency. I started in that company as a human resource person but progressed and became client service personnel, from where I got exposed to the media, PR, managing clients and all that. From there I moved on to another company, Q Media, where my job was to develop content for companies. Then people were still paying money for ideas and reality shows. I wrote a play in that company for MNET called ‘The Roots’ and the script won the New Direction Project on MNET. That’s how I started getting more exposed to the media industry. Unfortunately Q Media went down and I had to stay at home for a while.

    I knew from the onset that my purpose in life is to help reorientate women and young people. I thought a lot of women were making wrong decisions because of certain influences and knew the media was a major tool in changing that.

    We all watch a lot of TV, home videos and get influenced by what we see on them, so I knew the TV was going to be a major media tool in my mission. So I started thinking of how to get into television. I heard about HiTV, which was a cable station, and prayed fervently to get a job there; but for five months, I didn’t get any call even after I’d sent copies of my CVs through my uncles. By the end of 2007, my frustration became unbearable and I just picked up my CV and walked into HiTV office.

    I told the security man I had an appointment with the MD, who in turn gave my name to the PA to the MD. Of course the PA told me she didn’t have me in her record; and at that point I moved closer to the PA and told her, “Aunty please sit down, I don’t have an interview here, I just want you to do me a favour.” Amidst teary eyes, I said to her “Please just help me give your MD my CV.” That’s all I asked because I knew that God who directed me there would finish his work. That was the last working day of 2007.

    I had another appointment at Insights Communications, an advertising agency, but I really didn’t want to work there. So I left my CV with the PA at HiTV and went for the interview. While I was in front of my interviewer, the MD of HITV called me and said “I just saw your CV, you’ve been hired. Start January 10….”

    So were you assigned to the media or some other department?

    Initially I was made to work in admin but my mom said to me: “Morayo don’t worry. You’ve got the media that you want; even if they say you should be security guard, just do the job.” So I worked hard at the job and opportunities came up. I was helping my boss who started liking me because he thought I was very good at writing letters and doing a lot of things. Then something happened and he resigned and his position became vacant. I applied for it and got the job. Before I knew it my MD was impressed, he put me in charge of the department, gave me my former boss’ official car and a better package, because I was earning very poor as an admin officer. Gradually I grew in HiTV and became a top executive until it went down. And then I got a job here. I got a call that there was an opening and that’s how I made it to TVC. My steps obviously have been ordered by God.

    What inspired you to insist on the media despite the initial hurdles and challenges?

    What inspired me most was the need to change Nigeria and have women participate in politics and become decision makers. I had a deep urge to change their orientation and make them understand that their job is not only to be at home and as wives but also be out there helping the society as community leaders and ensuring that things are done properly. So I’m hoping to make sure that Nollywood is produced in such a way that it actually educates and not reinforce the culture we are trying to get rid of, such as men slapping their wives and all that. And also get rid of music videos where young girls are dancing naked.

    Where did the whole concept of ‘Your View’ breakfast show come from?

    I lived in America for 10 years and while I was in there, I watched a programme called ‘The View,’ where five women came together and I had always said that when I get an opportunity on TV, I would like to put together a show where real women talk about normal things. We don’t want to be all about make-up and fashion. We want a show where women are seen in a very different light, and that we are equally educated, have suggestions and ideas, think politically, economically and so on. By God’s grace and because of my position here at TVC, I was allowed to do this show. We brought women of different backgrounds together and did an audition. We didn’t want to bring too many celebrities; Yeni Kuti was fantastic because she offered to be part of the show. The idea was to have a show where women speak the truth as it is and a voice helping to build role models for young people, so they can see that I don’t want to sleep around to get to the top, and that they can actually get things on merit.

    How has the name Alao Aka-Basorun influenced you in your journey so far?

    My father influenced me by helping me to have an independent thinking. He helped me to know that my future cannot be in another man’s land and made me promise that I would come back home. He made me love being a Nigerian. He made me realise that it is important to give back to society and that I must not die without making an impact. He instilled that in many of his children.

    You are married and active in the media; what does it take?

    Thank God my husband met me while I was in the media, so he understands my job as a media person. I prayed for a husband that will appreciate and understand God’s purpose in my life and I thank Him for my husband’s support, he is always there for me. And God forbids it gets to a point where he says ‘quit your job’ because if he does, I will. But I know it won’t happen because I am working according to God’s purpose in my life.

    Advise for wannabes?

    The only thing I have to say is ‘never leave God.’ It’s almost like a cliché but it is the truth. Pray hard, continue to stay with God, hear him. Once you hear from God and he tells you what to do, everything else falls in place and the rest is history. Also have a passion for your country, because there is no room anywhere else. And be the change that you desire in the world.

    What other things do you do apart from broadcasting?

    I’m a mother, that’s pretty much it and I’m a wife. But broadcasting is it for me right now.

    You talk like an activist, should we expect to see you in politics sometime soon?

    Really! My father was an activist so I have it in me. My first step now is to help change the thinking of Nigerian woman. That’s my first focus. Let’s start with that first; and if something else happens afterwards, then we’ll take it from there.

    Fashion sense and style?

    I am not really big on fashion but I am striving, I’ll get better, trust me.

  • Wanted! Volunteers for medical missions

    The Care for Life Programme of the O.B. Lulu Briggs Foundation has urged volunteer medical professionals to partner it in the provision of medical aids for the needy in Rivers State.

    The foundation’s Programme Director, Miebaka Nabiebu spoke during the 2nd Free Eye Care Project held in Buguma, headquarters of the Asari Toru Local Government Area.

    He said the foundation was determined to extend the free eyecare project to all the 23 Local Government Areas of the state.

    Nabiebu said the significance of the project is to identify the health related problems of the less privileged, including the elderly in riverine communities, who suffer eye-related problems with a view to conducting free medical mission that would restore their sight.

    Nabiebu said: “When we went to Abua and Okomoko, we realised that there are communities you visit where you also identify hernia or other related diseases. But when you go to riverine communities most of their health deficiencies were associated with eye problems. This was where the Free Eye Care Project was borne.”

    He said the visit was the second to Buguma, where over 1,000 residents and those from other neighbouring villages in the Local Government Area benefited from the free eye care treatment of the foundation.

    “We have free drugs, free eye glasses, and there are also cases that are referral which we specifically sent to specialists hospitals for proper diagnosis and treatment. The free eye care project is a programme that we want to carry out across Rivers State and beyond.

    “Like this free eye care in Buguma, I also participated in the free eye test exercise and I am highly impressed with the conduct of the exercise,” he said.

    He equally explained the readiness of the foundation to carry out a five-day free medical mission in Mbok in Akwa Ibom State from July 29 through August 4.

    Nabiebu added that the foundation is working out modalities to promote a community based mass deworming exercise for children, and urged pharmaceutical industries, Nigerians and high network individuals form a synergy with the organisation.

    He explained that this would help rural indigents, adding: “If anybody is ready to assist the foundation, especially on the free eye care project, we shall be glad. Let the sponsors come with their personnel, we will come with the equipment, all we want the sponsors to do, is to provide the drugs and the venue, and we will discharge our obligations and service to humanity. Every programme that we embark upon is spectacular, even if we attend to just one elderly, who is above 70 years of age.”

    Some of the beneficiaries at the free eye care treatment in Buguma described the exercise as a welcome development and a strong palliative measures to restore the lost vision of those who have eye problems.

  • ‘Ojudu’s medical mission is a great show of love’

    The people of Ekiti State have described the free health mission organised by Senator Babafemi Ojudu (Ekiti Central District) as “the greatest show of love a leader can demonstrate to his people”.

    The mission, which began at the palace of the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti on Monday, has been witnessing a large turn-out of people.

    It has been to Ado-Ekiti, Ijero and Ipoti.

    The Ewi, Oba Rufus Adejugbe, described the mission as a fulfilment of one of Ojudu’s electioneering promises.

    He said he was impressed with the gesture and urged the people to take advantage of the opportunity.

    Deputy Governor Prof. Dupe Adelabu and the wife of the governor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, who had their vital signs checked, also urged the people to attend the 10-day programme.

    Praising Ojudu for the initiative, Mrs. Fayemi said even before the senator and her husband got to their present positions, they had always vowed to bring about lasting change in Ekiti.

    In Ijero-Ekiti on Tuesday, a crowd cheered in excitement when the United States (US)-based team of doctors alighted from the bus that conveyed them to the venue.

    Those interviewed said they were happy to have medical experts attend to their needs free-of-charge.

    The Alararormi of Araromi, Oba Adeoye, described the mission as “a well-thought-out programme” and urged Ojudu to organise it regularly.

    Considering the nonchalant attitude of Nigerians to regular medical check-ups, he said the mission would save many lives.

    Leader of the medical team Dr. Rasheed Abass said they were excited to be in Ekiti and promised to make it an annual affair, if all things go well.

    The doctors are rendering their services free-of-charge.