Otedola family commemorates father’s death with health fair for Epe community

TO commemorate the one-year anniversary of the passing away of their father and former governor of Lagos State, Sir Michael Otedola, the family recently organised a Health Fair for Odoragunshin Community in Epe Local Council of Lagos State.

Tagged “2015 Sir Michael Otedola Health Fair- Epe Medical Mission,” the event witnessed the congregation of over 40 medical doctors from different fields of medicine from the US, Canada, Russia and other parts of the world, who offered the community free medical services, ranging from surgical services, dental services, paediatrics, blood sugar, cholesterol, diabetes, blood pressure checks among other preventive cares and drugs, which can last for 90 days.

Men, women and little children from within and beyond the immediate community in their thousands thronged the venue of the fair, which took place in a hall constructed for the community by the late Otedola on his 80th birthday.

Speaking with The Guardian at the event, Otedola’s daughter and coordinator of the fair, Mrs. Omotola Oye, said that it was an enduring legacy of their late father, organised as a way of remembering and honouring him through service to the community.

She noted that the fair could become a continuous event, with plans underway to expand its reach beyond Epe to other parts of Lagos as a means of reliving his legacies and philanthropy to humanity when he was alive.

The wife to the late former governor, Lady Doja Otedola, who recalled her husband’s death on May 30, 2014, said that the family thought it wise to remember him after one year of his demise with health services for the community.

The 83-year-old matriarch corroborated her daughter’s statement that the fair would be a continuous event. According to her: “God helping us, we are still alive. Already, I am 83 years old and I hope I still have more years to live on earth. I am sure with the help of God, the children and myself will continue to carry on with the humanitarian services.”

A Consultant Nephrologist from the USA, Dr Tunji Alausa said the health fair also covers surgical services, which they do in partnership with the General Hospital, Epe. He noted that they have two surgeons from their fold, who are in the hospital doing surgical inter-cases.