No fewer than 850 residents of Ilobu, Irepodun local government area of Osun State and its adjoining communities on Wednesday benefited from the free medical outreach organized by the Hymac Nigeria Limited to mark the birthday of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Taoreed Lagbaja.
The medical outreach, which was held at the hometown of the Army Chief, also included distribution of walking aides such as wheelchairs, walking sticks, and so on for persons with disabilities.
To identify with the people at this period, the company also dished out food stuffs to all attendees of the event, held at Ilobu House Complex.
Speaking on the programme, the Olobu of Ilobu, Oba Asiru Olatoye Olaniyan described the medical outreach as timely and relieving, stating that over the residents of the community will forever be appreciative of the gesture of the Army.
Oba Olaniyan said, “the community appreciates our son, Lt Gen Taoreed Lagbaja, the company and the entire Nigeria Army for this gesture. It will go a long way in relieving us of the medical challenges. I must also say this is timely.”
Speaking on behalf of the Ilobu-Asake Development Union, the National Vice President 1 of the Union, Alh. Ishaq Awotunde said the community is proud of the Army Chief and will continue to support him at all time.
Awotunde said “the medical outreach has not only helped the residents of Ilobu, Ifon-Osun, Erin-Osun, Okinni, Alapupu, Osogbo and other adjoining communities, it has also helped reunite the community with their son, the Chief of Army Staff. You can see the large turnout of old and young, men and women from all parts of the communities I have mentioned. As IDU, we appreciate this gesture and we’re very optimistic of more programmes targeted at our people. We also say a very big Happy birthday to the General.”
While speaking at the event, Hon Okechukwu Ayogu, the Managing Director of Hymac Nig. Ltd, the consulting company for the outreach said the Army decided to bring the celebration of Lt General Lagbaja to Ilobu in order to appreciate the community for giving the country an illustrious son.
He said, “ We decided to mark the General Lagbaja’s in his hometown as a way of saying thank you to the people of Ilobu for giving Nigeria an industrious son, who has served and is serving the country meritoriously.
“This medical outreach is an eye opener on how the Army is executing its corporate social responsibility through this kind of project. We believe government alone cannot do, so the need for all of us to contribute and the Nigeria Army is leading the way.”
Over hundred corrective glasses were distributed for those in need.
Other major highlights of the event were distribution of food items and fabrics to all attendees. While six persons with disabilities got wheelchairs with over 30 walking sticks and other aids distributed to the members of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities. Drugs were also available and were dispensed to those in need.
Some of the beneficiaries who spoke with our Correspondent lauded the initiative, describing it as relief.
“What we got here today cannot be quantified. The amount needed for medical attention in hospital is high but we got it for free here. We thank General Lagbaja and the Nigeria Army.” Monsura Latifu said.
The medical treatment lasted for over eight hours as residents continued to troop in.
