Eko Club International in Lagos for free medical mission worth over N80m

By Clifford Ejenavi

Eko Club International (ECI) with about 25 active chapters across Europe and America is currently in Lagos State for its 2024 free medical mission worth over N80million to provide supports to the less privileged, especially those in under-served communities in the state.

The medical mission which started in Ayobo community on Friday November 1, 2024 will end on November 9, 2024. Seven communities including Oko Faaji, Ejinrin, Ipakodo and Egbeda will be among the beneficiaries.

Consist of Lagos State indigenes, Eko Club International has continued to provide various humanitarian services to the less privileged in communities across Lagos State, and this according to its President, Hon. (Chief) Saheed Olushi, will continue beyond the communities covered over the years.

The Club President stated that as a charity body, Eko Club International is well positioned to receive contributions from individuals and corporate bodies, adding that with such support, they will continue to provide more charitable services to the less privileged without discrimination.

“In 2023, several projects were carried out including our medical missions, food drives/donations, clothing/toy drives/donations, scholarship awards, renovation of schools, provision of computer laboratory, monetary and non-monetary donations. Others were assembled medical services, e.g. health fairs and medical missions; food and gift items; non-monetary contributions to charities and non-profits; educational, social and welfare services; medical equipment and supplies, volunteer programs and community service projects amongst many.

Speaking to journalists at the opening ceremony in Ayobo, Olushi said: “The club is an umbrella body for all Lagosians outside Nigeria. Currently, we have 25 chapters, one active chapter in UK, Canada, and 23 strong chapters in US. We have 800 active members who are Lagosians. Our mission is to alleviate certain difficulties in Lagos.

“We understand that government cannot fulfill everybody’s needs, we are trying to support the government and the communities. We meet every quarter to plan on interventions we can embark on, to benefit the people of Lagos. This medical mission is one of them. This started in 2007. We have our Lagos Community Health Outreach every 3 months, there we target 200 – 300 people.

“Next year we are planning our 25th anniversary. Our budget for Lagos this year is N150million, the medical mission costs N80million. We are also interested in education. We give scholarships. We gave scholarships at LASUSTECH and we are working on LASU. We also give money to support local businesses. We also donated computers to schools. We have brought in a 40-feet container of medical supplies and equipment. We are donating that through Lagos State government to hospitals.”

The Club’s President advice beneficiaries to follow up with their doctors and monitor their health. “We are committed, this is what we do regularly. We are looking to partner with organizations to do more. Citizens should be sensitized on interventions from government to be able to benefit”, he emphasised.

President, Eko Club London, Toyin Ibrahim-Igbo, who also spoke with journalists said: “We are doing our bi-annual medical mission, which is organized by Eko Club International (ECI). It is overwhelming, incredible and heartwarming with the turn out. We take pleasure in looking after people that the system has neglected medically. It is absolutely free, and a 9-day event, from November 1st to 9th, 2024. We are starting here in Ayobo, next one is Oko Faaji in Lagos Island. We will be going to seven places in Lagos and we expect a massive turnout.

“ECI and Eko Club London are a charity organization, the fact that we are from Lagos enabled us know the hardship faced by the people when it comes to medical issues, hence this outreach. It is almost twenty years since we started the medical mission.

“Early this year, ECI conducted a palliative mission in Lagos to cushion hardship. People and families got fed. The medical mission is for everyone, there is no criteria. We founded a clinic in Isolo, it carries out extensive procedures. We also have a fund to assist in surgeries, the clinic operates free services. My advice to citizens is to take their health very seriously. The Lagos government partners us in what we do. We are satisfied with the relief residents get from this outreach.”

Publicity Secretary, Eko Club International, United Kingdom, Engr. Kayode Ajayi stated that the London chapter is ever committed to support the advancement of the club. He added that they are supporting the activities of the club and the state government to ensure Lagosians are well taken care of.

“We will continue to show more support to ensure our people are happy back home. We have been doing this over the years and we will continue to do it”, Engr. Ajayi said.

The General Secretary of ECI and the Chairperson of 2024 ECI Medical Mission, Dr. Lola Aloba, said: “The club consists of members from UK US and Canada, so it is a challenge as some of us arrived two days ago and the time difference is an issue too. This intervention is not just about the drugs, but the awareness we are raising on the need for people to care for themselves. A lot of people think they are fine and do not need drugs, but look at the crowd. The residents should continue to look after their after the intervention.”

Some of the beneficiaries who spoke with Nigerian Impact expressed gratitude to ECI and prayed God to preserve every member of the club for them to do more.

A beneficiary, Mrs. Bose Azeez thanked ECI for the opportunity to have the malaria and typhoid troubling her for months treated for free, adding that she also given free drugs. She appreciated ECI for its kind gesture and prayed God will continue to uplift them.

Another beneficiary, Mr. Abdullai Fatai was full of joy and excitement as he got free test and drugs for his ulcer. He prayed God to bless Eko Club International.