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Saki town was in ecstatic mood last Friday as the free health mission sponsored by Prof. Adeolu Akande in conjunction with the Oyo State Forum landed in the community.
Akande, who was a special assistant in The Presidency during the Chief Olusegun Obasanjo years as Nigeria’s president, is a governorship aspirant under the All Progressives Congress, APC.
Thousands of beneficiaries which included women, children, disabled, community and market leaders were tested for various ailments, screened for malaria, dental problems, blood pressure, blood sugar, and provided with free drugs.
Only few weeks ago, the free health mission, which is going to be taken round the state, commenced in Otu, headquarters of Itesiwaju local government of the state, where the initiator hails from.
The Adeolu Akande Foundation focuses on three areas viz a viz free medical services, youth empowerment through training, mentorship and enterprenuership and provision of interest-free loan to traders.
In his opening speech, Bagii of Sakiland, High Chief Abdrasheed Gazali Adegoke, said that the initiator of the health mission was not unknown to him, explaining that he has never doubted him since he first met him.
According to Bagii, who is the next in rank to the Okere, the paramount ruler of the town, “He didn’t know me. He didn’t even bother to know me. Though I know he is from Okeogun. He was the Chief of Staff while I was an aide of the then Secretary to the State Government. Anything I take to his table, he approved it. He didn’t ask for where I come from. I know that if he had known, he would have done much for me. He did all these without knowing that we would meet again today.
“I can vouch for him. I will mobilise support for him when it is time for that. In all ramifications, he is capable of leading our state to the promised land. His credentials are there. Let me however advise all of you aspiring for governorship from Okeogun: we don’t want any other position than the number one seat. We will support any party that presents our son as governorship candidate. We know we cannot do it alone, we will talk to our friends from other zones to support us. In fact, at our council of Obas and Chiefs’ meeting, our agreement is to support our son. It is time somebody from here is allowed to govern the state,” he said appreciating Akande, who teaches political science at the Igbinedion University, Edo State for according priority to the well-being of the less privileged in the area.
In his own remark, the chairman of Saki Parapo, Alhaji Muritala Akoko, thanked the initiator for the gesture, adding that “We know you. You’ve always been committed to the plight of the people.”
Speaking earlier, the initiator of the health outreach urged the people of Oke-ogun to always go for medical check-up to safe themselves from untimely death.
He disclosed that the free medical outreach is one of the ways of giving back and assisting the people.
“The gesture is going to be a continuous one. This is one of the many initiatives lined up to assist our people. If all of us can assist the needy in one way or the other, life will become more meaningful to the people. The government cannot do everything, especially in this troubled times,” he stressed.“Over the years I have been focused on mentoring our youths by helping many of them to stay in school, gaining admission to various institutions of learning across the country and collaborating with others to help them set up small businesses.
He revealed that efforts are in top gear to assist women with soft loans for various businesses.
All the traditional rulers, as well as representatives of the Muslim Community, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and traditional worshippers, who were part of the programme from the beginning to the end, were also screened.
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