Mariam Akinloye & Esther Awote
-As council boss, others appreciate ECI humanitarian gesture
The Elejinrin of Ejinrin Kingdom, Oba Rafiu Ishola Babatunde Balogun Adetoyeshe, Ejalonibu II, has charged other Nigerians based abroad to emulate the Eko Club International (ECI) in terms of medical and other humanitarian interventions.
The royal father, who described the club as a different kind, also said that he has not seen any other club operates like the Eko International which he said has been intervening in facilitation of medical, educational and other community development activities in various communities across Lagos.
Oba Rafiu Adetoyeshe spoke at the Ikosi -Ejinrin phase of the 2024 ECI Medical Mission which was held at PZ Centre, Market Road, Ejinrin in Epe LG on Monday. On ground were Chief Saheed Olusi and Dr Lola Ogbara Alogba President and General Secretary, ECI respectively, as well as chieftains and other members of the club.
“What can I say rather than to keep thanking every member of Eko Club International, right from the president. This is not the first time they are coming to Ejinrin. This will make it the third time and I really thank them sincerely from the bottom of my heart.
“The beneficiaries should pray for the people that decided to come to Ikosi -Ejinrin. They came to Nigeria with only five slots, and we are lucky to have our place included. Our people should be very grateful for that, and they should also be grateful to the people that organized it.
“Here we are and people are very happy. Look at the crowd; look at the number of people and the medical staff that we have; look at the number of doctors; look at the number of nurses, and the number of people that we have here.
“Eko Club is a different club entirely. I am yet to see another club that has decided to do exactly what the club is doing. Others should follow in the footsteps of Eko Club by also returning to Nigeria, to give back to our people. They were all in Nigeria before they went abroad. They should also take it as a duty to always come back to give back.
Oba Adetoyeshe assured the club of his support for what they have been doing.
“For what they have done for me and the people, I will keep following them to any part of the world. I have been to America for their convention, and another programmes which were very dynamic. As long has God gives me good health, I will continue to follow them to any part of the world, because, if they can come all the way from America, London, and other countries, to look after our people, nothing should stop us also from attending their convention in any part of the world”, Elejinrin said.
Hon. Akogun Wale Anomo, the Executive Chairman, Ejirini Local Council Development Area of Epe LG, who said that the council partnered with the ECI to bring the medical mission to the people, also commended the club, stating that the group is committed to giving the people quality health support.
“This will be the third edition of Eko Club International medical mission and it is in partnership with the Ejinrin Local Council Development Area. Here in Ejinrin, we take the health of our people very seriously, because we believe health is wealth and a healthy nation is a wealthy nation.
“That is why we engaged in this partnership to make sure that good and qualitative health care service delivery is available for our people and not just for elected ones alone, and that is what we are seeing today.
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“My word of appreciation to them is that they should continue doing the good job they are doing, and of course, they have been doing it all around Lagos. Personally, on behalf of the good people of Ejirini LCDA, people of Epe by extension, I want to say a very big thank you to the ECI and I look forward to more partnership.
“I look forward to more collaborative work by taking the health of our people to the next level. I really appreciate this and we promise we are not going to take them for granted”, he said.
Mr Bello Opeyemi, the National President, Ejinrin Association Club, also speaking at the medical mission, commended the intervention for the people in need.
“This event is a very good intervention for the community. It is commendable giving people that are poor, who are unable to afford medical bills, free eyes, diabetes, malaria and other tests in Ejinrin. I hope that the people will be happy that they are helping them with their health.
“I really appreciate Eko Club for coming to Ejirin to make it a better place for us and also making our people happy. I will advise that the beneficiaries should take their medications as prescribed by the doctors”, he said.
A police officer from Ejirin LCDA, Mr Akinjimi Adebayo, in his own appreciation, said:
“I appreciate the activities of Eko Club for these laudable activities by bringing a health mission to our door step, despite the situation of this country today. For someone to bring this kind of arrangement, I really appreciate them”.
Mr Wasiu Bakir, another beneficiary, in his own remarks, said that he got a good treatment from the ECI mission.
“I can boastfully say that I got a good medical treatment and would have not known about it or experienced it. If I had not come, I would not have known that I have diabetes. They tested me and told me that I have high sugar and immediately they gave me drugs.
“So, I want to thank them so much because they are doing a lot of job.
“They have asked me to go and rest well, adding that lack of that was what triggered my BP. I know that my BP is high and I take drugs for it regularly, but if not for this mission, I wouldn’t have known about the high blood.
“I really appreciate them and God will continue to bless them”, he prayed.
Also speaking with our reporter after her treatment, Mrs Rukayat Yekini said:
“I really enjoyed the service here. They did everything and gave the people all the necessary treatments ranging from those with eyes issue to ulcer, malaria and others. Whatever the ailment, they will attend to it.
” I pray for them that they will be going higher in Jesus name, and they will not fall, because they are remembering the poor people, the Lord will also remember them and they will move forward.
“I really thank them and they should continue to help us so that the Lord will also continue to help them too”, she said.
