Date: 2018-11-24

The Olofa of Offa, Oba Muftau Gbadamosi, has called on wealthy indigenes of Offa in Kwaravto redouble their efforts in ensuring its socioeconomic development.

Oba Gbadamosi made the call while flagging off a four-day healthcare empowerment initiative by Offa Descendant Union, United Kingdom (UK) Chapter, (ODUUK) in Offa.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the empowerment initiative tagged: "Sight and Vision Project" was inaugurated by the chapter in 2017 in collaboration with the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH)

According to the monarch, the act of developing the community requires the collective responsibility of stakeholders in order to achieve the desired success and target.

He said that no contribution was too small toward ensuring the desired growth, progress and development of the community.

The Olofa, while commending members of the organisation for their foresight, urged other well-meaning individuals and groups to emulate the kind gesture.

"We are overwhelmed with your heart of patriotism, sacrifice, dedication and the passion toward impacting on your community.

"We will forever be grateful to you for your commitment and generousity to this noble cause.

"I also call on other Offa indigenes, both at home and in Diaspora, not to relent in their communal services," he said.

Also, Mr Biodun Badmus, the President of the Association, said that the Eye and Cataract Project, which started in 2017, had been yielding positive results going by the feedbacks received from its beneficiaries.

Badmus said that 534 patients were screened during the 2017 edition out of which 87 underwent cataract surgeries solely financed by the association.

According to him, 132 identified with refractive errors were provided with eye glasses and 124 others given eye drop as treatment.

Commenting, Prof. Mrs Yemi Adepoju, a Consultant Ophthalmologist with UITH, said the hospital’s collaboration was borne out of its desire to make healthcare delivery affordable and accessible to the people at the grassroots.

Adepoju said the hospital on its part had executed no fewer than 150 cataract surgeries through its Eye Care Initiative.

Mrs Wosilat McCarthy, the Vice President of ODU, praised the empowerment initiator for its contribution to improve the living standard and wellbeing of people in the community. (NAN)