With Nigeria’s poverty rate at 38.8 per cent and inflation at 33.6 per cent, it was not surprising to see over three thousand Nigerians benefiting from this year’s Ijebu Boys Association Free Medical and Food Provision Outreach. The programme kicked off on June 6, 2024, at the De-Millennium Hall, Ijebu Ode Local Government Secretariat, with an opening ceremony attended by several special guests.
Notable guests include Dr. Sunny Kuku, the Olorogun and Ogbeni Oja of Ijebuland, and the Vice Chairman of Eko Hospital; Oba Dr. Adetoye Alatishe the Gbegande of Ososa land, who is also a medical doctor; Professor Bankole Okuwa, a member of the Ogun State House of Assembly in the Second Republic and a socio-political researcher; and Otunba Kunle Ogunade, Managing Director of PetroOrganico Nigeria Limited.
Other distinguished attendees were Dr. Olubunmi Fatungase, Chief Medical Director of Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital representing Dr Kunle Hassan, Chairman, Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Sagamu; Dr. Oladisun Odunsi, Chief Medical Director of DisShol Medical Centre and Rehabilitation Home; and Dr. Tola Fayomi, representing the Ogun State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Toni Coker; Chief Olumuyiwa Okenla, MD Olumayowa Pharmacy, Barrister James Omotara, representing Chief Fassy Yusuf, former Ogun State Commissioner for Information, Youth and Sports.
Mr. Olagbuyi Oduniyi, president of the association, thanked the special guests and royal father for their continued support. He expressed joy and gratitude to God for enabling the association to carry out the project smoothly in spite of the challenging economic conditions in the country. “We are very grateful to God for His benevolence and mercy, enabling our association to continuously deliver on this huge task. The joy we bring to the vulnerable in our society is our pride. When they arrive looking pitiful and leave with joy after receiving medical care and food, we feel accomplished. We all know the government alone cannot do it, so I implore other organizations to help the needy,” he said.
Continuing, Mr. Oduniyi stated, “we are a non-profit, non-political association. This project, the fifth in the series, is self-sponsored by our members. During COVID-19, we could not hold the program, but we distributed food to elderly residents in Ijebuland. Our members took the risk to personally distribute the food items. I want to thank our guests of honor, members who flew in from the US and Europe, and all our donors. Thanks to Rite Foods Limited for supplying us with Bigi Water and other drinks, and the Chairman of Ijebu Ode Local Government for providing the venue free of charge. I thank everyone who supported us. God bless you all.”
Kuku, in his appreciation of the Ijebu Boys’ efforts, composed and sang a song for them, delighting all attendees. He prayed for and blessed the association members, encouraging others to emulate the Ijebu Boys. Oba Dr. Alatishe, Gbegande of Ososa land, asked the over 1000 patients seated under the canopy to stretch their hands and bless the association. He urged the association to continue with this philanthropic effort. Professor Okuwa praised the Ijebu Boys as a shining example of modern philanthropy, giving with compassion and kindness without political motives
Dr. Kuku, along with other guests, presented a wheelchair to Madam Tinuola Adebanjo, a 58-year-old paralytic patient from Ijebu Igbo. All the patients underwent various medical tests, including vital sign checks, urinary analysis, blood tests, and sugar level tests, HIV and Tuberculosis before being treated by over 20 certified medical doctors. Various registered beneficiaries with age range between 57 years to 90 years came from different far and nearby communities such as Ijebu Ife, Sagamu, Ijebu Igbo, Ago Iwoye, Abeokuta, Iken Ogbo, Isiwo, Epe, Ososa and Ijebu Ode, received wheelchairs, walking sticks, digital blood pressure apparatus, drugs, eyeglasses, and food.
Omoba Adetola Odusote, the association’s publicist, emphasized the group’s commitment to the development of Ijebu land and the welfare of its people. “Our goal is to put a smile on the face of every patient every year. We are excited to continue our tradition of service to humanity and contribute to the socio-economic development of our homeland,” Odusote concluded.
Ijebu Boys Association, established in 2017, aims to promote the development of Ijebu land through educational, economic, and social initiatives, as well as thought leadership.
