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Obafemi Martins donates 200 wheelchairs, 3,240 crutches, other health equipment to LASG

…Gesture, Act of Selfless Service, Commitment To Humanity, Says Ambode

Nigeria Football 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.

Among the equipment donated by Martins, through his foundation, Obafemi Martins Foundation (OMF), include 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 wheelchairs, electronic wheelchairs, 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 a 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 remain 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.

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (middle), presenting a commendation letter to Nigeria International, Obafemi Martins (2nd left)

 

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (4th left); Nigeria International, Obafemi Martins (3rd left); his Manager/Personal Assistant, Mr. Ayodeji Olusesan (2nd left); Chairman, Wharf Landing Fee Collecting Authority, Mr. Joe Igbokwe (left); Special Adviser to the Governor on Sports, Mr. Deji Tinubu (middle); Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris (4th right); Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Sports, Mr. Adeboye Anthony Adeyinka (3rd right); Chief Medical Director, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Prof. Adewale Oke (2nd right) and Director, Health Care Planning, Research & Statistics, Ministry of Health, Dr. Taiwo Olufemi (right)

 

Health equipment donated by the Obafemi Martins Foundation to the Lagos State Government

 

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (3rd left); Nigeria International, Obafemi Martins (2nd left); his Manager/Personal Assistant, Mr. Ayodeji Olusesan (left); Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Sports, Mr. Adeboye Anthony Adeyinka (right); Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris (2nd right) and Special Adviser to the Governor on Sports, Mr. Deji Tinubu (3rd right)

 

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (3rd left), receiving health equipment donated by Nigeria International, Obafemi Martins (2nd left). With them are Manager/Personal Assistant to Martins, Mr. Ayodeji Olusesan (left); Special Adviser to the Governor on Sports, Mr. Deji Tinubu (middle); Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris (3rd right); Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Sports, Mr. Adeboye Anthony Adeyinka (2nd right) and Chief Medical Director, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Prof. Adewale Oke (right).

SIGNED
HABIB ARUNA
CHIEF PRESS SECRETARY
NOVEMBER 3, 2017

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