The Nation Newspaper

Tag: ROTARY

  • Rotary, Geeta Ashram offer free eye surgeries

    No fewer than 250 Nigerians have benefited from the free eye surgery programme of the  Rotary Club, Lagos Island, in collaboration with Geeta Ashram, Lekki.

    The beneficiaries received surgeries for glaucoma, pterygium and cataract.

    A representative of Geeta Ashram, Samuel Tosanwunmi, said his organisation had been doing the surgeries since 1999 and that Rotary only collaborated with it in the last two years, adding that the organisation was the first group to do free cataract surgery in the country.

    He said the aim of the programme was to help the less-privileged with eye problems. He said each surgery cost as much as N150,000 in a private hospital.

    He expressed satisfaction with the turn out. ‘’It is interesting and the patients are happy for it. It shows that more people are benefitting from it” he said.

    Tosanwunmi advised Nigerians to take care of their eyes. ‘’Go to an eye clinic and check your eyes. Take care of them. Take them serious. They are the windows and engine room of the body that should not be taken for granted. Don’t take chances with them,’’   he counselled.

    Rotary Club member Janram Rupchandani also expressed satisfaction with the turnout. He said: ‘’I have been in Nigeria for 40 years. Yearly, we do programmes like this all the time. For me, human beings are the same whether they are Indians or Nigerians. We have just held one last month.  I always feel happy to serve humanity. I give kudos to Rotary and Geeta  Ashram  for giving to the Nigerian society. I pray God to give us more strength to give more.’’

    Lagos Rotary Club President Sanjeev Tandon praised Geeta Ashram for the collaboration and the success of  the one-week , which held  at General Hospital, Marina. He also thanked the state government and the hospital management  for the success of the programme.

    A beneficiary Gloria Milverton from Akwa Ibom State said she was excited with the surgery, which was successful for her. ‘’I thank Geeta Ashram for helping us, adding that it is free. ‘I did not pay to do the surgery,’’ she said.

     

  • Rotary donates to DG, president’s alma mater

    THERE was excitement among pupils of Lagos Mainland Primary School, Onayade, Fadeyi  when Rotary Club of Gbagada inaugurated the six classrooms it renovated in the school, and donated six white wax boards to it.

    The event was attended by some senior members of Rotary International District 9110, including its Governor Dr Wale Ogunbadejo and Rotary Club of Gbagada President Ademola Olutusin.  The pupils were not only glad for the good job done by Rotary, but were happy to learn that former pupils of the school championed the work.

    Olutusin said he was glad to return to the school he left in the 70s. But he decried the infrastructural decay in his alma mater, putting the blame at the footsteps of the government. He urged the government not to neglect the school, adding that schools as molders of the young play a big role in the society. He said the facilities cost millions of naira.

    Inaugurating the classrooms, Ogunbadejo asked the school management to maintain the facilities. He recalled that he was a pupil of the school between 1965 and 1970. He asked its management to maintain the facilities. He also expressed dismay at level of decay in the school. He promised to partner other alumni of the school to do more to restore its lost glory.

    The school’s Head teacher Mr A. A. Akinnagbe thanked Rotary for the gesture. He however asked for a sick bay and toilets, urging them not to turn down the requests.

     

  • Rotary assists 30 hernia patients

    No fewer than 30 hernia patients have benefited from the Victoria Garden City Rotary Club’s goodwill which, in collaboration with the Graceland Hernia Foundation, Ajah, did surgeries for them.

    The club’s hand of fellowship was for the poor battling with hernia and other ailments. Some of the beneficiaries in their active years have been rendered ineffective by hernia.

    The intervention by the Rotary did not only bring succour to the patients, who have been living in pains, but would also re-launch them to productive life.

    This act of magnanimity made some of the beneficiaries to shower encomiums on their benefactors and prayed God  to take the club to greater heights.

    VGC Rotary Club President, Mr. Steve Asuquo said the club assists the needy at the beginning of its year, noting that its focus was on the plight of   hernia sufferers.

    He said people with hernia were confined to pains, solitude and deprivation that prevent them from making economic impact on the society.

    He added: “The intention is to help the poor, but it was noted that some of these poor have serious issues with health and the only impact that we can add to their lives is to assist to get over it.

    “That is why we partner Graceland Hernia Foundation in view of its outstanding records in hernia operation. I hope that this will continue every year and for this year 30 patients will benefit.

    “I want to say that this hospital, where the operation is being carried out, offers the cheapest in this environment. That is what really motivated me to key into the project.”

    Osuquo said some people were so poor that they could not afford to feed themselves not to talk of paying medical bills. He noted that the club was out to impact on the community.

    “I am sure by the time we create more awareness, more people will approach the club to find solution to the problems they have. Under my leadership, we will continue to do our best for the people at Ajah and environs,” he said.

    Graceland Hernia Foundation Medical Director/CEO Dr. Paul Jesuyajolu said he had done over 4000 sugeries, noting that hernia is common among low income earners, who indulge in hard labour.

    “One of the Rotary members, Asuquo heard about us and approached me on the possibility of working together. This dated back to 2015 and since then, we have been relating together.

    “They been inviting me to Rotary meetings and on some occasions was given the opportunity to speak on issues that could elevate the health of the people. They have equally funded some of our surgeries which have been successful.

    “Again, I am privileged to operate on over 4000 hernia patients and I am still praying that God will continue to strengthen me; so far, of the 4000 surgeries carried out at this hospital, we only lost a patient. The cost of the sugeries has mostly been borne by me as part of my humanitarian service to the society.”

    Rotary International District 9110 Governor, Dr Adewale Ogunbadejo said the club would continue to render service in the areas of growing local economy, addressing peace and conflict issue and health problem.

    Ogunbadejo, who was represented by Rotary Club Zonal Coordinator, Mrs Uyi Sowobi, said: “We were largely involved the polio eradication and I want to say we have made huge contribution to its success. I have been living in this community for over 20 years. This hernia surgery is the first of its kind by the club to the people and we are happy at the feat.”

    A beneficiary, Mrs. Victoria Unchendu, said she got the information through her friend that VGC Rotary Club was conducting free medial hernia operation.

    “I came here because of my three years old son who is suffering from hernia. I came all the way from Egbeda to be part of the operation. My son has been ill over time and I am quite convinced that the surgery will be successful given the profile of the doctor. “

  • Rotary assists 30 hernia patients

    No fewer than 30 hernia patients have benefited from the Victoria Garden City Rotary Club’s goodwill which, in collaboration with the Graceland Hernia Foundation, Ajah, did surgeries for them.

    The club’s hand of fellowship was for the poor battling with hernia and other ailments. Some of the beneficiaries in their active years have been rendered ineffective by hernia.

    The intervention by the Rotary did not only bring succour to the patients, who have been living in pains, but would also re-launch them to productive life.

    This act of magnanimity made some of the beneficiaries to shower encomiums on their benefactors and prayed God  to take the club to greater heights.

    VGC Rotary Club President, Mr. Steve Asuquo said the club assists the needy at the beginning of its year, noting that its focus was on the plight of   hernia sufferers.

    He said people with hernia were confined to pains, solitude and deprivation that prevent them from making economic impact on the society.

    He added: “The intention is to help the poor, but it was noted that some of these poor have serious issues with health and the only impact that we can add to their lives is to assist to get over it.

    “That is why we partner Graceland Hernia Foundation in view of its outstanding records in hernia operation. I hope that this will continue every year and for this year 30 patients will benefit.

    “I want to say that this hospital, where the operation is being carried out, offers the cheapest in this environment. That is what really motivated me to key into the project.”

    Osuquo said some people were so poor that they could not afford to feed themselves not to talk of paying medical bills. He noted that the club was out to impact on the community.

    “I am sure by the time we create more awareness, more people will approach the club to find solution to the problems they have. Under my leadership, we will continue to do our best for the people at Ajah and environs,” he said.

    Graceland Hernia Foundation Medical Director/CEO Dr. Paul Jesuyajolu said he had done over 4000 sugeries, noting that hernia is common among low income earners, who indulge in hard labour.

    “One of the Rotary members, Asuquo heard about us and approached me on the possibility of working together. This dated back to 2015 and since then, we have been relating together.

    “They been inviting me to Rotary meetings and on some occasions was given the opportunity to speak on issues that could elevate the health of the people. They have equally funded some of our surgeries which have been successful.

    “Again, I am privileged to operate on over 4000 hernia patients and I am still praying that God will continue to strengthen me; so far, of the 4000 surgeries carried out at this hospital, we only lost a patient. The cost of the sugeries has mostly been borne by me as part of my humanitarian service to the society.”

    Rotary International District 9110 Governor, Dr Adewale Ogunbadejo said the club would continue to render service in the areas of growing local economy, addressing peace and conflict issue and health problem.

    Ogunbadejo, who was represented by Rotary Club Zonal Coordinator, Mrs Uyi Sowobi, said: “We were largely involved the polio eradication and I want to say we have made huge contribution to its success. I have been living in this community for over 20 years. This hernia surgery is the first of its kind by the club to the people and we are happy at the feat.”

    A beneficiary, Mrs. Victoria Unchendu, said she got the information through her friend that VGC Rotary Club was conducting free medial hernia operation.

    “I came here because of my three years old son who is suffering from hernia. I came all the way from Egbeda to be part of the operation. My son has been ill over time and I am quite convinced that the surgery will be successful given the profile of the doctor. “

  • BUA Group, Rotary offer free screening to 40

    BUA Group, Rotary offer free screening to 40

    No fewer than 40 pupils of Araromi and Kinniun Ifa Nursery/Primary School, Gbagada, Lagos have received free screening for ear, nose and throat courtesy of Rotary Club Gbagada South and BUA Group.

    Rotary Club President Ademola Olutusi said they embarked on the project to enable the pupils to be attended to while they were still young. He said some of these diseases were better tackled at a young age, rather than wait until one was old when it would have been too late.  He said after the screening, if there was the need for referrals, the medic would say so. He thanked BUA Group management for sponsoring the programme. He also thanked Pama Specialist Centre for giving them a discount on their charges.

    BUA Group Content Developer Adedeji Odutola said the programme was one of the company’s corporate social responsibility’s (CSR) initiatives of giving back to the society and that the company was happy to partner Rotary Club.  He added: “We are a big organisation and we will continue back to the society.’’

    Dr Vincent Adekoya of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) advised the pupils to take care of their ears, noses and throats, adding that they should avoid the use of hard objects to either clean or scratch them when they are itching.

  • Nine get Rotary’s best teachers’ award

    ROTARY Club of Gbagada South has conferred its best awards on nine teachers in Lagos State. They are Mr Amos Ayodele Ilesanmi, a mathematics teacher at Eva Adelaja Girls Grammar School, Bariga and Mrs Bosede Odumusi, an English Language teacher at Eva Girls Junior Grammar School, Bariga.

    At Muslim Senior College, Oworonshoki, Mrs Bisola Sirikat Adekumisi and her Junior College counterpart Iyabode Rahamat Oniyide picked the crown.

    Other awardees who in Oworonshoki School Complex were: Edith Ofili (Mosafejo Primary School); Mrs Adijat Oladele (Oworonshoki Primary School); Bolanle Olasumbo Oki (Ajeroju Primary School); Mrs Khadija Operemi (Muslim Mission Primary School); and Anthonia Ezenagu (Local Government Primary School); the Head of the Computer Centre in the complex Miss Udo Idung Johnson, also received an award.

    The club’s President Ademola Olutusi, who congratulated the awardees, said they were honoured for being outstanding in their subjects and contributions to their schools.

    “In Rotary calendar, this is the month of vocation when we reward those that have done well,” he said, adding that teachers needed to be encouraged for their work.

    In her response Mrs Odumissi said: ”I am overwhelmed!

    Everyone is working in the school, but for me to have been selected was something I did not imagine.

    Her colleague Mr Ilesanmi, also praised Rotary for its selfless service to the society.

     

  • Rotary offers free eye surgery for community

    Rotary Club of Yaba, District 9110, Nigeria has unveiled plans to offer free medical surgery for people suffering from cataract and other eye defects within the community and its environs.

    Abosede Victoria Soyoola said this during her installation as the 43rd President of the club.

    Mrs Soyoola popular known as ‘Mama Yaba’ is a Chartered Accountant and former Chairman, Rotary Foundation of the club.

    In her address after installation, Mrs Soyoola stated that arrangement has been concluded with some doctors abroad to perform the eye surgery for selected people within the community.

    “In the coming months, we are embarking on several projects to help the people in our community. We have already scheduled an eye surgery for some people who have already been screened. Doctors from abroad will handle the operation,” she said.

    Mrs Soyoola restated her commitment to serving humanity, noting that the main focus of her club this year will be to bring succour to several physically and economically challenged persons within Yaba community.

    “In the coming months also, we will be distributing books and first aid boxes with drugs to primary schools and mosquito nets to post-natal and pregnant women. We will also embark on tree planting across the community,” she added.

     

  • Tolaram Foundation, Rotary promote CSR

    TOLARAM Foundation and Rotary Clubs of Lagos Island and Singapore have launched their Global Grant Project offering free 1,700 artificial limbs to the physically challenged. Each cost N400,000.

    At the ceremony in Victoria Island, Lagos, Ishlak Tolaram Group founder, Molaram Vaswani, said he was happy to assist the less-privileged, adding that he hoped the gesture would impact lives. The septuagenarian said this was part of the industrial giant’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to its host country.

    Rotary Club of Lagos Island President Sanjeev Tandon said his club was glad to offer physically challenged Nigerians and other nationals the rare opportunity to get free artificial legs, urging those who need them to seize it to better their lives.

    He said his club partnered the sister club in Singapore to boost their programmes as they could not do it alone due to shortage of funds. He advised those in need of the prosethic limbs to see the club’s officials who would take them to the Ishlak Limb Centre, assuring that they would get one same day.

    Rotary Club of Singapore (District 3310) President Dr Shahil Hammed said they supported the Global Grant Project because they wanted those who lost their limbs to be on their feet again, be independent economically and have self-esteem. He said a recipient of the limb could either be employed or be self-employed.

    District 9110 Governor Dr Wale Ogunbadejo praised the synergy among the clubs and the Tolaram Group. He said the aim of Rotary International is to fill the gap where the government and individuals could not assist. ‘’I feel happy that Rotarians from Singapore and Nigeria are coming together to meet the needs of the people,’’ he said. While looking forward to bigger collaboration among Rotarians, Ogunbadejo thanked the Lagos Island Club for the ‘’huge donation’’, describing the club as being on a higher pedestal than others.

    Head of Project, Ishlak Limb Centre Neha Mehra said the objective of the centre is to help physically challenged with plastic limbs and arms, which she said are better than wheelchairs. She said the centre has fabricated  over 1,000 limbs since its inception in 2009. He attributed the rise in amputated legs to accidents and diseases. ‘’this si why we want to help the people,’’ he said.

  • Kelwaran, Rotary promote blood donation

    Industrial giant Kelwaran Chanrai and Rotary Club of Lagos Island have rallied over 50 of their workers and members to donate huge pints of blood to the state blood bank.

    At the campaign, which held on the premises of Kelwaran on the Lagos-Apapa Expressway, Isolo, the company’s Group Managing Director (GMD) Mr Siva Subramanian said the event was aimed boosting the state government’s blood bank.

    “We have been doing it on December 7 in the last six years to commemorate our chairman who died in an accident in Yola, Maiduguri,” he said, adding that the response was getting better.

    He allayed fears over blood donation, saying various tests are carried before one is certified to donate and that there are no dangers or side effects.

    A Rotarian and medic Chief Anil Grover said he had been donating blood in the last 15 years and that it was good to donate. “I want to advise Nigerians to have a culture of blood donation. It’s safe, useful and good for every one,” he added.

    Lagos Rotary Club’s President Sanjeev Tandon said the event is held yearly as one of the association’s focal areas. He thanked Kelwaran for partnering the club, saying their aim was to generate at least 1,000 pints of blood out of the 7,000 needed by the government.

    An official of the state Blood Transfusion Services said the blood would be taken to its offices for screening and given to the public free. However they would pay N4,500 for what she called “crossmatching”. The money is not for the blood but the cost of compatibility, she said. She advised the public to ensure that the blood they buy carries their logo to avoid purchasing the wrong item.

  • Rotary Lagos Island marks World Polio day

    Members of Rotary Club Lagos Island have marked this year’s World Polio Day at Elegushi Market, Lekki.

    Members of the club marched round the market with a band and a big banner. They sang and danced as they moved round. Some of them came with their children and spouses. They also held a talk.

    The club’s President Sanjeev Tandon said the aim of the event was to, principally create awareness on the dangers posed by the disease, immunise children and ensure that the marketplaces were kept clean. He said the world over only three countries Pakistan, Afganistan and Nigeria (PAN) were still not polio-free. He said the club’s wish was to see to it that Nigeria was left off the hook in the next two years.

    Tandon said: ‘’We opened this camp at this market to  create awareness on polio. We walked around the market and gave some children vaccination. We are trying our best on polio eradication.’’

    An executive of the club Chief Glover said Rotary had taken it upon itself to stamp out polio from the country. ‘’That is why the district set up the camps. This is a disease that can be prevented with just two drops of the vaccine. Polio is caused by unhygienic conditions Children are not immune. It affects their spinal cords. But with good hygiene and clean environment, it can be eradicated. The market is the best place to tackle it.’’