Yield Africa extends community services to Surulere
Tobi Adetunji
A renowned Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), Yield Africa has stormed Shitta area of Surulere Local Government in Lagos, offering free medical services to the aged ones and distributing food items to the residents of the community.
The auspicious outreach which took place on Friday had in attendance over 100 aged individuals, among several other people including the youths and was monitored by Nigerian NewsDirect.
While extolling the philanthropic gesture, and informing the medical outreach distributing food items to the community, the Director of Yield Africa, Mr Tunde Martins, said the programme was one of the cardinal agenda of his foundation which specializes in development of people and health at the grassroot.
Martins acknowledged that taking care of “senior citizens” and empowering people at the grassroot with relevant 21st century skills is vital in the present age.
He revealed that the outreach was made possible through the collaboration of Princess Ibukunoluwa Naomi Akinsanya (M.D Ewa Royal Concept Beauty Concept), Hon. Seye Akintade, a former Councilor, Surulere Local government, Joker foundation, Prof Azeez Butali and his dogged team.
He said the foundation is set to replicate similar gesture in and around Lagos State.
The programme started with a general medical sensitization and lecture which was led by a seasoned medical pundit, Dr. (Mrs) Ada Margaret Ayanyemi, and her top-notch team from the school of Community Health.
Ayanyemi advised the elderly ones to take proper care of their health through mild exercise, eating healthy food and sleeping regularly among other basic health tips.
Speaking to our correspondent about the outreach, a former Councillor from Surulere Local government, Honourable Seye Akintade, mentioned that as a young leader he believed in attending to the needs of masses within his domain.
“When briefed about the program, we had no options than to dive into it, hence it will positively affect the masses especially the elderly ones” he said.
Akintade said, although the challenges of managing human could be ernomous, “we must rise to the challenge and do our best.”
On why the programme is important to him, he revealed that most of the elderly people at the grassroots can’t afford medical bills and the youths are also in need of soft skills, mentorship and capacity building.
He mentioned that he looks forward to collaborating with Yield Africa in the distant future to bring more enlightened programme to the community.
“My aim is to see that everyone in my community is healthy and prosperous” he said.
Some of the beneficiaries of the free medical service who could not hide their joy also spoke with our correspondent.
One elderly man, Mr Muraina Adebayo, said he had been bedridden for over two years but with the help of the people he find his way to the venue, and he had been tested, given some drugs and food items. He thanked the organisers of the outreach profusely and prayed that God bless them.
Another beneficiary, who simply identified herself as Alhaja Idowu said,
“The free medical service is commendable and encouraging, because many of our aged ones around Shitta here need adequate care. In fact the medical personnel had done credibly well, and the facilitator of this programme should be commended. We thank and pray that God will provide for their needs as well.”
