By John Adeagbo
It was akin to a shot in the arm for Okemesi General Hospital as Prof. and Mrs. Obaro donated medical supplies worth several millions of Naira to the medical facility.
The couple, who are based in the United Kingdom, donated these medical supplies and equipment through their organization “Bridge the Gap ” which boasts of some highly accomplished Okemesi indigenes such as Mr. Dare Babarinsa and Dr. Nathaniel Olaoye both of whom were present at the event.
The Special Guest of Honour Rt. Hon. Funminiyi Afuye, Speaker of Ekiti State House of Assembly, who was represented by his deputy Rt. Hon. Hakeem Jamiu received the supplies on behalf of the state government. Rt. Hon. Jamiu, in his speech, expressed gratitude to the couple as “not very many people appreciate the idea of giving back not only to Okemesi but humanity at large,” he said.
The Ekiti State Deputy Speaker said while he will continue to solicit the material support of Ekiti indigenes in the Diaspora in endeavors such as this, the said the fact also remains that the health sector is an area that the Fayemi administration has paid inordinate attention to in revitalizing both in his first and second comings. But “more work needs to be done in this and other sectors,” he emphasized.
In his remarks, the Senior Special Assistant (Diaspora Affairs) to Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Femi Odere (who also represented the Chairman/CEO of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa said he was not entirely surprised about the spirit of giving back of the state’s indigenes in the Diaspora as they probably have the highest passion for their state per capita.
In delivering the message from Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Odere said while the contributions of Nigerians in Diaspora on the micro level must continue to be applauded, it’s now time for diasporic Nigerians to engage on the macro level through the instrumentality of the Nigerians in Diaspora Investment Trust Fund that has just been established by the Buhari government.
“Considering the huge amount of Diaspora remittances, this policy instrument is a veritable avenue by which the nation’s economic development can be accelerated,” the SSA said.
“Although NiDCOM will soon embark on a massive campaign and awareness creation for this Fund, I want you to please help us advertise this Fund among Nigerians when you get back to your base,” he added.
Mrs. Ayodele Obaro (nee Ekunola), who’s herself a nurse in the UK said it’s gratifying to know that some people’s health would be enhanced and deaths prevented with the supplies. Today’s donation is the fourth to the Okemesi General Hospital by this couple.
