Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has received donations worth millions of naira from Nigerian footballer, Obafemi Martins.
Obafemi Martins donated the equipment worth several millions of naira to the Lagos state government
Nigerian international, Obafemi Martins on Thursday donated health
equipment worth several millions of naira to the Lagos State Government,
saying it was part of his philanthropic gestures to give back to the
society.
The donation was made through his foundation, Obafemi Martins
Foundation (OMF). He donated 200 Wheel Chairs, 3,240 Crutches, 100 Baby
Courts, 60 Hospital Beds, 13 Electric Wheel Chairs and 3200 Blind
Sticks.
Presenting the equipment to the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi
Ambode at a short ceremony held at Lagos House in Ikeja, Martins, who
currently plies his trade with Shanghai Greenland Shenhua F.C in China,
said the mission of his Foundation is to assist members of the community
who are in need as a result of being handicapped.
“I am grateful to announce that the Foundation is currently
prepared to donate a lot of wheel chairs, electronic wheel chairs,
clutches and other equipment. I am confident that this contribution will
impact lives in our communities. Through service to our community, we
can all make a difference,” Martins said.
He, however, said that the Foundation would not only stop at the
donation, adding that there would be more interventions in the nearest
future.
Receiving the equipment on behalf of the State Government, Governor
Ambode commended Martins for the gesture, saying that it was not only a
worthy and noble act of selfless service, but a clear demonstration of
his commitment to Nigeria and most especially Lagos State.
“We are all delighted to welcome Obafemi Martins back home. As
you are aware, he is a true born Lagosian and through his Foundation, he
has deemed it necessary to extend selfless service back to his
community.
“We are, on behalf of Lagosians, saying a big thank you to you.
Apart from the fact that you have become an excellent ambassador for
Lagos, you’ve done extremely very well in your chosen career. You’ve
also deemed it fit that it’s time to pay back to humanity. Apart from
the fact that these are things that we would use in our hospitals, there
are also things that we are going to use for people living with
disabilities.
“This actually complements the efforts of the government to
support our less privileged brothers and sisters. You have shown
yourself to be a true role model on and off the pitch and Lagos State is
very proud to associate with you. Once again, I commend you for your
philanthropic gesture and wish you more successes in your endeavours,” the Governor said.
Governor Ambode, who later presented a letter of commendation
personally signed by him to Martins, also seized the occasion to
encourage other well-meaning Nigerians and organisations that have the
opportunity to contribute back to the community to emulate such gesture.
“I have been reliably informed few weeks back that we also had
this kind of gesture from the proprietor of Ebeano Supermarket for the
giant stride he did for us at Ibeju-Lekki General Hospital, I want to
also use this opportunity to say a big thank you to him and also to let
others willing to support us and complement the efforts of government to
do the same,” the Governor said.
He said Martins’ gesture has reinforced his administration’s belief
that sports remains a veritable tool that can be utilized to touch
humanity, just as he assured that the equipment would be put to
judicious use especially at the Primary Healthcare Centres across the
State.
“I think that there is no thank you that is enough. It would go
into our history books that you are one of the firsts of our people
that would actually give back to the community and to the society,” Governor Ambode said.
Earlier, Special Adviser to the Governor on Sports, Mr. Deji
Tinubu, said the donation by OMF was a testament to what can be achieved
through sports, stating that it was for this reason the present
administration is advocating the use of sports for development of the
State.
Also speaking, Commissioner for Health, Dr Jide Idris said the
State Government welcomes such gestures, noting that aside government’s
determination to make available all essential equipment in public
hospitals, donations by public-spirited persons out of their sheer will
of commitment to support government’s effort are worthy of emulation and
indeed commendable.
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