The International Association of Lions Clubs, District 404 B1 Nigeria, last Wednesday commissioned The Ilaro Modular Eye Centre in the Yewa South Local Government of Ogun State. The modular eye centre is the first of the six newly constructed, fully equipped vision projects funded by Lions Clubs International Foundation and Latter-Day Saint Charities, under the Development of Sustainable Vision Centers in Ogun State Nigeria, in different locations in the state. The other locations, according to the Project Administrator, Lion (Past District Governor) Lekan Babalola, are in Ijoko, Imeko, Ayetoro, Ipokia and Idirko, all in Ogun State.
The official commissioning that attracted so many dignitaries including officials of Ogun State Government, Yewa South Local Government, kith and kin of Ilaro and lions of District 404 B1 Nigeria had Honorable Tomi Coker, the Ogun State Commissioner of Health as Special Guest of Honour.
Speaking before the facility was commissioned, the Chairperson of the Lions’ District 404 B1 Ogun State Sustainable Vision Project, Lion (PDG) Waheed Kadiri expressed appreciation to Ogun State Government Deputy Governor, Lion (Engr.) Noimot Salako Oyedele and Dr Tomi Coker, the commissioner of health for their swift action, in assuring the grant donors, Lions Clubs International Foundation & Latter-Day Saint Charities, of the readiness of the state to partner with lions for the vision project.
PDG Kadiri also advised the people of Yewa South Local Government and its environs to take advantage of the facility for their eye health. According to him, the purpose for the centre and the equipment there-in will amount to a waste if the people don’t make use of the services provided by the centre.
In his address, the Project Administrator, Lion (PDG) Lekan Babalola gave the reasons for the establishment of the Modular Eye Centres in Ogun State. According to him, the vision project aims to provide a model primary eye care that will address major challenges of eye health- Availability, Accessibility and Affordability. Adding that the modular eye centres will not only correct refractive errors, provide spectacles, refer other blinding conditions to the Lions Eye Clinic at the Ogun state General Hospital, Ota, the modular centres will also continuously give eye health education to communities to prevent eye health challenges.
The Project Administrator, Lekan Babalola also gave a breakdown of the equipment in the modular centre. They include screening equipment, examination and diagnostic gadgets, refraction equipment, optical workshop, prescription glasses and other accessories.
While appreciating the facilitators cum funding partners of the project, Lions Clubs International Foundation and Latter-Day Saint Charities; the government of Ogun State, Nigeria, as well as the Project Management Committee, PDG Babalola reiterated PDG Kadiri’s charge to the people of Yewa South Local Government and environs to take advantage of the eye health services that will be provided by the eye centre.
Dr Tayo Lawal, The Special Assistant on Health to the Executive Governor of Ogun State, His Excellency Prince Dapo Abiodun, applauded the International Association of Lions Clubs for their humanitarian services especially in the reduction of hunger and poverty as well as sight. He thanked lions District 404 B1 for establishing the eye modular centre in Ogun State. He pledged further collaboration of the state government on future humanitarian projects.
The Special Guest of Honor for the Ilaro Modular Eye Centre commissioning, Dr. Tomi Coker, the Honorable Commissioner for Health, Ogun State expressed appreciation to God for making the project a reality. She appreciated the commitment and passion with which Lions Club International Foundation and Later-Day Saint Charities put into making the project a reality.
According to the Commissioner, “the journey to the completion and commissioning of the Ilaro modular eye centre commenced late 2021 when the Sustainable Vision Project Committee of Lions District 404 B1, paid a courtesy visit to my office to brief me of their intention to partner with Ogun state Government. I am happy to inform you all that, that partnership is what has brought us together today.” Dr Coker said Ogun State government will continue to encourage individuals and corporate organizations to join hands with the government to take health system in Ogun state to an enviable height.
Dr Tomi Coker expressed the willingness of the Ogun State Government to scale up the Modular Eye Centre model to other zones of the state to give eye care service a wider coverage in the state. She called on the Lions Clubs International Foundation and Latter-Day Saint Charities to extend the Modular Eye Centre model to other zones of Ogun State
Source: Dare Agbeluyi, Chief Publisher.
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