Kogi Residents Hail Unijos Alumni over Free Medical Care
Kogi residents across two local government areas of the state have commended the executives of the University of Jos Alumni for their free medical care.
The State Chapter of the alumni, as part of their social responsibilities carried out free medical treatments on residents of Kotonkarfe in Kogi and the Ika Nation in Ankpa Local Government Areas from 16th to 20th of December 2017.
In appreciation, residents of the benefitting local governments, who spoke to our correspondents in their various areas poured commendation on the executives and members of the University of Jos Alumni Association, Kogi State chapter , after benefiting from the association’s free medical care.
The 5 day free medical care programme which started in Kotokarfe on the 16th of December and in Ika Nation on the 20th of December 2017 according to the association is part of the activities to mark the end of the year.
The paramount ruler of the Kotonkarfe Kingdom, the Ohimege- Igu of Kotonkarfe, HRM, Alhaji Abdulrazaq Isah Koto received the team in his palace in Kotokarfe on the 16th Of December.
While addressing the team, the Monarch said the health Status of the people determine the level of economic, social and community development in the society, hence commended the Alumni for taking the lead in bringing free medical care to his people.
He appealed for support for the alumni and other similar associations that are capable of contributing to the overall development of the state and Nigeria in general.
In Ankpa Local Government Area, the team was received by the Secretary, Ankpa traditional council Alhaji Usman Akor. He commended the association for embarking on such noble and selfless service.
Speaking with our correspondent in Ika, one of the beneficiaries; Amidu Sule, said the exercise had brought unquantifiable relief to the people of the area.
Amidu hailed the organisers of the programme over the initiative and urged other organizations to take a cue from the University of Jos Alumni in Kogi State.
“Believe me, I’m deeply grateful to this association headed by our illustrious son; Mr Idris Yakubu for this noble and rare gesture. You can see the joy in the faces of our people here; there are many people who have been sick for a long time but couldn’t afford medical care, but it has come free today. We are most excited and thankful and I say may God bless all of you”, he prayed.
Another beneficiary, Adishetu Usman, who went home with free drugs after a comprehensive examination, said it was a great relief for her.
In her words: “When the announcement was made that there will be free medical services for us in this part of the world, I did not take it seriously. I thought it was one of those political promises and hype. In fact, my daughter had to force me to come here and I had to do that sluggishly. With the health education that we have been given, test and drugs that we have received, I have seen for myself that God directed you to come to save people like us here in Ika.
Another beneficiary, Tijani Idris who was examined and given drugs, also thanked the organizers for touching lives of indigenes and residents of Ika Nation.
The National President of the University of Jos Alumni Association, Mr Idris Yakubu who was represented by the State’s Chairman of the Association, Bayode Oladakpo , said the initiative was part of the association’s effort to complementing the Yahaya Bello led government in Kogi State in boosting the healthcare of the people and promised to make the medical outreach an annual event for the people of the area and environs.
However, the team of physicians expressed satisfaction with the peoples’ response to the programme, stressing that the outcome was impressive.
The organizing committee of the Unijos Alumni Medical Outreach thanked the National President of the Association; Idris Yakubu, Prof. Austine Iluore, USA; Prof Angela Miri, the Vice-Chancellor of Federal University, Lokoja; the Chief Of Staff to Kogi State Governor, Hon Edward Onoja, Dr Idris Omede, Mr. Inaju U. Inaju for their contributions to the success of the programme.
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