..Ondo wouldn’t ‘ve benefited from the gesture if not for your connection- Aiyedatiwa tells First Lady
It was an evening of fun-filled atmosphere at the government house ground Alagbaka, Akure the State capital, when the US-based Medical Missionaries who were in Ondo state for medical outreaches were bid farewell with a dinner party.
The dinner party was organized by the Wife of the Governor, Chief Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, to thank the Sharing Hope Foundation and the Riverside International from the University of California, San Diego USA, for their humanitarian services to the State.
About 15 members of the Non-profit organizations arrived Ondo state for a free medical outreach ranging from four days training of medical personnel and donation of medical supplies and tennis kits to Ondo government.
Giving her farewell address, the First Lady, who disclosed that the team were in the state for the third time, courtesy of her cousin Mr. Emeka Anyanwu, lauded their selfless and humanitarian services.
She said: “This is what we call volunteerism and humanitarian service in every sense of it. The little we can do here is nothing compared to their own financial input.
“They also brought stuff, Medical Supplies and Tennis shoes and rackets, because right from the very beginning they are aware that I’m promoting Tennis among young people”.
Giving an insight to their coming to the state, the Ondo First Lady appreciated her cousin who offered to contribute his quota to the administration of her husband immediately he was sworn-in as the governor.
“They came through my cousin, when my husband was elected he asked what he could do to support the government. Thank you Emeka for this amazing support and your colleagues for agreeing to come along with you”, she added.
She used the medium to introduce members of the Foundation of Wives of Ondo State Officials and Female Political Appointees(FOWOSO), to the Missioners, and informed them of the activities of the women which include to increase female representation in government and politics, to champion the interest of women and girls, amongst others.
Also speaking, the Deputy Governor who stood in for the Governor, Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, appreciated Mrs. Akeredolu and her cousin for facilitated such a huge advantage to the state.
According to him, the kind gesture of the Missioners had impacted the general well-being of the people of the State.
His words: “The primary function of every government is security and protection of the people and their general well-being; and when you talk about general well-being, it includes our health. What you have come to do in Nigeria is to support our health system, so, we can’t thank you enough.
“When we were growing up, as young boys in primary school, we were taught civic social studies and history. We read then in the book that Missionaries left their countries in Europe and they came to give us education and they came with so many things. We read that in history about Mary Slessor who was a Nurse, but today I’m witnessing it that Sharing Hope and Riverside left their country in the United States to Ondo State and giving us humanitarian service. We want to thank you for coming”.
Appreciating the First Lady, Aiyedatiwa said, “Arabirin we want to thank you for this initiative, if you have not been here, this will not happen, because it’s a connection enabled through your cousin”.
He lauded Mr. Anyanwu’s determination to network his colleagues from the USA to support the administration of his in-law, affirming that many medical personnel had acquired more knowledge through the four days training.
” I know a lot of people have benefitted from the trainings and education that have been given in the last four days. Nothing is static, society evolves, even in health delivery because there are new demands, new aspirations, so we need update, training and retraining, that’s what you have done for our health personnel, thanks for coming”. He added.
Giving an overview of their activities for the past four days in the state, Dr. Emmanuel Onyeama who coordinated them, hinted that the Medical Missionaries trained medical personnel at the University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital Complex in Ondo town, Akure annex and the Federal Medical Center, Owo.
He listed the trainings acquired to include, Basic Life Support, Advanced Trauma Life Support, and Update Course in Anaesthesia and Critical Care, amongst others.
Dignitaries in attendance included the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Chief Gbenga Ale, the State APC Chairman, Engr. Ade Adetimehin, Commissioners for Health, Dr. Banji Ajaka, for Youth and Sport, Mr. Dele Ologun, for Environment Mr. Niyi Oseni, for Commerce Mrs. Lola Fagbemi, and for Physical planning, Mr. Aminu Takuro.
Others are, Special Advisers to the Governor on health, Prof Faduyile, on education, Dr. Wunmi Ilawole, on Special Duties, Mr. Dare Aragbaiye, on Gender, Mrs. Olamide Falana, and Permanent Secretaries on Health, Pharmacist Aladenola, on Primary healthcare, Dr. Francis Akanbiemu, on Hospital Management Board, Dr. Ikuomola, amongst others.
Mary Agidi
Special Assistant to the Governor on Media
(Office of the First Lady)
Oct. 25th, 2022.
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