Over ten thousands indigent and residents of Ijebuland have benefited from the 3rd edition of Free Medical Outreach being sponsored by a group of childhood friends who formed themselves into an organised body known as Ijebu Boys Association with brand name IJ-BOYS.
The much publicised 3 days medical outreach started on Thursday June 9, 2022 and was rounded off on Saturday June 11, 2022 at the Millennium Hall, inside Ijebu Ode Local Government secretariat, Itooro Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, Nigeria.
Royal Fathers of the Day and Guests of honors who graced the occasion are first class royal fathers Oba (Dr.) Adetoye Alatishe, the Gbegande of Ososa and Oba Adeposi Bashorun, the Oru of Imoru Ijebu. They were joined by a former legislature in the second republic Professor Bankole Okuwa.
The royal fathers gave their blessings and prayers to the 58 members of the Ijebu Boys Association and asked other corporate bodies, NGOs, eminent sons and daughters of Ijebuland to emulate the great deeds of IJ BOYS.
Oba Alatishe, who is a foremost medical practitioner and former Chairman of Ijebu Ode Local Government asked all the beneficiaries at the outreach to pray for the association. He appealed to the state government and the Kabiyesi Alaiyeluwa of Ijebuland Oba (Dr) Sikiru Kayode Adetona to find a way to recognise and honor the invaluable contributions of the association to the people of Ijebuland and beyond.
“This is the 3rd edition of this capital intensive medical outreach and I have personally witnessed two editions. Health is wealth, and healthy citizens are those that can bring about a healthy nation. We must appreciate the invaluable contributions of these middle age men who preferred calling themselves ‘boys’. This is not the only service the Ijebu Boys Association were rendering to Ijebu people. I remember during Covid-19 pandemic when there was no movement, IJ BOYS gave out massive palliatives in form of food items. They did this twice during the long pandemic. They shared this across towns and villages in Ijebu land. My people in Ososa also received. Let’s join hands to pray that God continues to prosper and protect them and their families”, Oba Alatishe prays.
In his remarks, Oba Adeposi Bashorun, was emotionally touched and offered royal blessings unto members of the association. He participated in the vital checks, and was happy that his blood pressure was in perfect order. The Kabiyesi Oba Bashorun donated substantial financial contribution to the purse of the association.
Professor Okuwa while giving his goodwill message asked all beneficiaries of the IJ BOYS Medical Outreach from inception to always pray for the members of the association. He said his own son is a member. He told the gathering that the project is self-sponsored by the IJBOYS and emphasised to the beneficiaries that the association is non-political, nor government either.
The President of the association, Mr Olagbuyi Oduniyi thanked the guests of Honors, and appreciate members of the association in Nigeria and in the diaspora for adopting and sponsoring the annual medical outreach as a give back to the community that gave birth to them.
Explaining how Ijebu Boys association came into being, the Publicity Director of the association Adetola Odusote who doubled as the masters of ceremony at the occasion, “IJ BOYS came into being in 2017 after the death of some of our prominent childhood friends in 2016, among whom were Bolaji Osinowo and T-Bello. Few of us came together to form a platform through which we could be checking on one another. We adopted the motto, ‘Idagbasoke Gbogbo Akile Ijebu’, meaning (The Progress of Ijebuland). We had as our mission statement. To cater for the well-being of our members and drive socio economic development of Ijebuland.
“Membership is by your root to Ijebuland or as a friend who grow up together with us and who had primary or secondary education in Ijebu in the 70s and 80s. We have liberalized conditions for membership by reducing age limit to 45. It can also be by marriage to Ijebu daughter or by resident in Ijebu land. But you must know at least 3 members who can attest to your character and commitment to IJ BOYS cause”.
This year’s edition had 40 medical service providers who volunteered. They include medical doctors from various public and private institutions including the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Sagamu; General Hospital, Ijebu Ode, and others.
Partnering organisations include Dishol Medical Specialist Centre, Ijebu Ode; Catholic Optical Outreaches, Ijebu Ode; the Institute of Human Virology Ijebu Ode; Bishop Sanusi Catholic Medical Centre, Ijebu Ode; Ijebu Ode Local Government and Super FM Ijebu Ode.
Sicknesses and other medical conditions treated are Tooth and Eyes problems, Hepatitis B & C, Malaria parasite tests and treatment, HIV/AIDS tests and treatment, Diabetes plus Blood Sugar tests and treatment, Toxicology tests and treatment, vital signs checks, among others. A standby ambulance, medical laboratory, dentistry were provided along Optical tests facility. Five brand new wheel chairs, about 20 walking aids were given out to patients that required them. Over N3 million worth of medical drugs were given out. The over 10 thousand beneficiaries who came from as far towns and cities such as Ijebu Igbo, Epe, Agbowa, Ikorodu, Sagamu, Idowa, Ososa, Ijebu Imusin, Ijebu Ife, Owu Ikija, Ago Iwoye etc were also fed with sumptuous meal every day.
