In a genuine and rare show of humanitarian compassion for a healthy rural community in a collaborative effort and synergy, the International Human Rights and Dignity Defenders’ Forum, IHRDDF, a non-governmental organization with proven track records in social cum economic rights intervention, in conjunction with Doctors for Children International, DFCI, was hosted by the Ogo Apetere Social Club to provide a critical two-day health outreach for the physical well-being of the good people of Apetere, a rural community along Lalupon/Iwo road of Oyo State.
The Aim and Major Objective of the Two-Day Outreach which took place on Monday, June 17 and Tuesday, June 18, 2024, respectively, between 9.00 hours and 18.00 hours daily.
Five Experienced Medical Doctors, Two Eye Specialist Optamologists and other professionals including Nurses, Pharmacists, Administrators, Journalists, Statisticians, et cetera, were present to dispense free diagnosis, prescriptions and dispensing of drugs already procured in quantum by sponsors for the outreach.
The Chairman of the Ogo Apetere Social Club, Dr. Samuel Abioye had drawn attention to the lack and inadequacy of medical facilities to sufficiently cater for the need of his rural ancestral home land had made a spirited solicitation for the outreach.
In his absence, the Vice Chairman of Ogo Apetere Social Club along with other officers and members had assisted in the provision of logistics and mobilization of their community members and sectoral leaders to the Medical Outreach which was targeted at improving the health care and well-being of children and the aged in Apetere Community.
The International Human Rights & Dignity Defenders’ Forum, IHRDDF, ably led by Comrade David Omeike Vine, came with its own team including the General Secretary, Ambassador Dr. Vivian Ebere Elekwachi and the Director of Publicity/National Secretary, Ambassador Ayo Akintayo among others in collaboration with DFCI and Ogo Apetere Social Club.
IHRDDF, meanwhile, have been making impacts both in Nigeria and internationally through consistent advocacy and critical interventions in human rights and breaches on human dignity, bringing justice to the oppressed, the needy and vulnerable citizens and providing regular education on radio and television shows, print media interviews and providing enlightenment for citizens on their fundamental human rights to a dignified life and to sensitize the Nigerian government on the need to improve its records on protection of human rights and human dignity.
A lot of critical interventions for justice, fairness and equity has been made in this regard and in response, especially, to complaints brought to its attention and awareness for immediate interventions.
During the Covid 19 pandemic, IHRDDF undertook a food distribution program to ease hunger and prevent starvation among the poor and needy in rural communities.
At about 9am in the morning of Monday, June 17, 2024, natives, elderly men and women accompanied by their children had begun to file into the town hall venue of the outreach as they took their seats on the well arranged set of plastic chairs under the canopies provided.
The Head Chef known as the ‘Baale, Chief Sunday Alamu had arrived with his wife, Olori Chief Mrs. Florence Alamu and a retinue of his Chiefs.
The Kabiyesi also had in his entourage, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Chairman in the person of the Salvation Army Church Clergy, Lt. Olufemi and the Chief Imam in person of Alhaji Fazazy Mudhakir Akinlabi.
It became obvious that the hosting club, the Ogo Apetere Social Club members had applied due diligence in moblising every segment of the Apetere community and had created a good awareness campaign, carrying everybody along in the process in other to ensure that they all throng to the venue of the outreach in order to benefit in the laudable program aimed at the over all physical well-being of the community.
The exercise took off with prayers from the CAN Chairman and a Muslim Cleric.
While the Head Chief was being honoured to be the first to be attended to, one of the most experienced nurses conducted the initial good health orientation talk bordering on hygine and preventive health practices to attendees as assisted by an interpreter in Yoruba language which could be easily understood by all the locals.
All attendees including the Kabiyesi were then registered and given tallies before they began to consult with doctors who diagnosed and made appropriate prescriptions on papers which were made available to the nurses and Pharmacists for dispensing of drugs.
There were different sections in the arena. For instance, a section was equiped with gadgets to measure blood pressure and sugar content; another section was devoted for general health consultation; that of eye tests and dispensing of eye glasses/eye drugs; while there was yet another section for general dispensing of drugs
The above procedure was adopted for the two-day duration of the program which turned out to be a huge success as guaged by the happiness and enthusiasm of community members who showered prayers of appreciation on the visiting team.
The children were also quite enthused as they were treated by to gala sausages and biscuits by IHRDDF.
The great sacrifice of Team Members who had travelled down to Apetere Community in Oyo State from as far as Akwa-Ibom, Enugu, Abuja and Lagos must be appreciated.
We also wish to appreciate the generous financial support of our Directors in the United States.
The International Human Rights and Dignity Defenders’ Forum could be reached via email; ihrddf@gmail.com or , through calls & WhatsApp via +234 806 287 5002, +234 906 537 4701.
Amb. Ayo Akintayo, writes from Lagos.
