It was another historic moment for the people of Nupe Kingdom, spread across six local government areas of Niger State on Saturday as Nigerian Association for Young Adults of Canada extended their humanitarian gesture to them.
The Association in conjunction with the African Economic Empowerment Initiative under the leadership of Archbishop Benjamin Mustapha handed over multi-million naira hospital equipment donated to them.
The equipment, which consist of hospital beds, mattresses, crutches, drugs and other facilities worth hundreds of millions of naira, were donated to Federal Medical Center, Bida in a well-attended event held at the palace of Etsu Nupe and Chairman, Niger State Traditional Council, His Royal Highness, Yahaya Abubakar CFR.
Speaking at the event, the President of African Economic Empowerment Initiative, His Eminence, Archbishop Benjamin Mustapha described activities of NAYA as the greatest kind gesture a group of Nigerian outside the country’s shore are bringing home.
Mustapha, who is the General Overseer of Resurrection Ministry, explained that he joined hands with NAYA after hearing about their diligent and patriotic moves to uplift lives of the Nigerians through humanitarian services.
He said the world always beam searchlight on the bad aspects of Nigerians, neglecting the productive and brilliant aspects. He said “it’s unfortunate that the world only beam searchlight on isolated bad aspect of Nigerians. We have to state here that the fastest computer today is built by a Nigerian. The most wonderful art selected out of 200 participants was drawn by a Nigerian. The history scientific law was moved from theory to hypothesis and back to theory by a Nigerian. Presently, NAYA has produced a member of the Canadian parliament.”
In his address, the Niger State Governor, Muhammed Sanni Bello described the humanitarian gesture of NAYA Canada as timely, stating that his administration has declared state of emergency in health sector in the state.
Represented by the Commissioner for Health, Dr Muhammed Sidi, the governor stated that his administration is ready to partner with the Canadian government through NAYA in order to bring more benefits to the people of the state.
In his address, the Etsu Nupe, HRH Dr Yahaya Abubakar CFR expressed the delight of his subjects describing the gestures as the one “that will improve the quality of health delivery in his kingdom and improve the standard of living of his people”.
The monarch appreciated NAYA and called on other organizations of Nigerians in Diaspora to emulate the humanitarian services of NAYA to bring more proceeds home. He was also full of praises for the efforts of Archbishop Mustapha whom he described as a “friend of years”.
In his address, President of NAYA, Mr Shola Agboola described his Organization as the most resourceful, vibrant and impactful Nigerian organization in Diaspora. He expresses his joy over the handing over of the equipment to the FMC, Bida which according to him has taken their expenses on humanitarian services to a whopping sum of N546m
He said, “it is yet another proud moment for our organization as we officially launch this multi-million naira free medical equipment and supplies donated by NAYA to the federal medical centre, Bida through HRH, Alhaji Yahaya Abubarkar, the Estu Nupe of Nupe Dynasty.
“This is the 2nd medical launching we are doing this year. In January, we were in Abia state where we donated over N540 million-naira medical equipment to Maddona Hospital in Umuahia. Government officials, important dignitaries including the Secretary of the Nigerian in Diaspora Commission headed by Hon. Abike Dabiri was there to launch the donation. It is no surprise that the commission has commended us severally and affirmed that, as far as their records and database is concerned there is no Nigerian organization in diaspora anywhere in the world that has come close to the kind of social investment that our organization has made in this country.”
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“We are able to do this because our organization is made up of brilliant young men and women who are passionate and care deeply about this country and are committed to bringing opportunities that would make positive contributions in Nigeria. Because we parades people with incredible talents for leadership & community building, our organization has made NIGERIA proud in Canada.”
Agboola used the avenue to reel out the landmark achievements of the association under his leadership.
He said, “We have produced the likes of Dr. Tito Daodu, the youngest medical doctor to ever graduate from one of the major universities in Canada – the University of Manitoba few years ago. She was recently named among the top under 30 most influential people in Canada.
We have produced the likes of Hon. Uzo Asagwara, the first black female legislator to be elected to the Manitoba Legislative Assembly breaking a 150 years of record to be a trail blazer.”
Speaking shortly after the programme, one of the participants, Hon Bamidele Felix Osuolale commended Archbishop Mustapha and Mr Agboola for being relentless in their humanitarian gesture despite all hindrances.
Osuolale, who came for the event from Osun State, said NAYA is setting pace and breaking records in humanitarian services. He called on government to partner with the organization in its bid to have a better Nigeria.
Other guests at the colorful event were Senator representing Niger South, Muhammed Lima, Chairman of Nigerian in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa who was represented by Mr Teerab Abdurrahman, Hon Bamidele Felix Osuolale from Osun State, Queen Amina from Canada, Dr Muhammed Usman, Chief Medical Director, Federal Medical Center, Bida, District Heads across Nupe Kingdom and host of other distinguished personalities.
Highlights of the programme included traditional display by Nupe artists, presentation of gifts to Archbishop Mustapha, NAYA and other guests by Etsu Nupe and FMC, Bida and interactive session with the monarch.
