Covenant University, Ota lunch free health programme in Atan, Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area of Ogun State

Traditional rulers and residents of some rural communities in Atan, Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area of Ogun State have lauded the free health programme organized by the Covenant University, Ota, in the area.

A team from the school, including its Vice Chancellor, Prof. Charles Ayo, was at Egando village, on Friday, to conduct a free health programme for residents. Residents of adjoining communities like Aiyedegun and Alagbo also benefited from the event.

Themed ‘Upholding the legacy of contribution’, the programme was held to commemorate the 59th birthday of the Chancellor of the school and General Overseer of the Winners Chapel, also in Ota, Ogun State, Bishop David Oyedepo.

The traditional ruler of Egando, Chief Julius Dopemu, described the programme as a “good development as the nearest health facility is Atan Health Centre, which is about 2km away.”

He said, “It’s a good thing and it’s impressive that they brought this programme to the people. They say ‘health is wealth’, so once the health of the people is taken care of, the rest is easy. Our people have been going to Atan Health Centre by okada (commercial motorcycles) and without okada, it’s not easy.”

The event witnessed eye checks, dental consultations, dietary counselling, vaccinations for babies and health talk. In addition, residents were screened for blood pressure and blood sugar, while drugs were also dispensed to some of them.

The traditional ruler of Aiyedegun, Chief Biliaminu Salami, called on the government to establish a health centre for his community, urging corporate bodies and privileged individuals to emulate the action of the university.

He said, “We have been lobbying the government to give us a health centre but there has been nothing. Instead of wasting money, Covenant University decided to impact positively on the people; corporate bodies and other influential people should emulate this.”

Also present at the event was the oldest resident in Egando community, Alhaja Sikiratu Sifor, 108, who was brought in a wheelchair.

Sifor also commended the organisers of the programme, stressing the importance of having healthcare close to the people.

“We thank the organisers for this. Look at me, I’m old and it’s not easy for someone like me to be going about again. So this is important to us,” she said.

The Chief Medical Director of the university’s Health Services, Dr. Tunde Togun, said residents would be referred to the school’s health centre for further treatment, where necessary.

He said, “We listen to them and deal with their issues as best as we could. From experience, we know that people in rural areas can have surgical challenges. We can do it for them for free.”

However Ayo, while explaining the programme’s objective, said the school had taken a “cue from the Bishop.”

He added, “Bishop always says that success is not about one’s wealth but rather, about the positive impact a person has on the people around him. So on his birthday, we thought we should do this to appreciate God for his life. We thought we should go out and touch the lives of people in remote communities.”