3000 Residents Benefit from Ijebu Boys Association Medical Outreach
Over 3,000 indigent and residents of Ijebuland have benefited from the third phase of free medical outreach sponsored by Ijebu Boys Association (IJ Boys).
The three-day medical outreach which kicked-off on June 9, at the Millennium Hall, Ijebu Ode Local Government Secretariat, Itooro Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, saw 40 medical service providers volunteering their time and resources to conduct test and treat medical conditions such as tooth and eyes problems, hepatitis B and C, malaria , HIV/AIDS tests and treatment, diabetes and blood sugar tests and treatment, toxicology vital signs checks, among others.
A standby ambulance, medical laboratory, dentistry were also provided with optical tests facility. Five brand new wheel chairs, about 20 walking aids were given out to patients that required them.
The Gbegande of Ososa Ijebu, and a foremost medical practitioner,
Oba Adesoye Alatishe, appealed to the state government and the Alaiyeluwa of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona to find a way to recognise and honor the invaluable contributions of IJ Boys to the people of Ijebuland and beyond.
“This is the third edition of this capital intensive medical outreach and I have personally witnessed two editions. Health is wealth, and healthy citizens are those that can bring about a healthy nation.
“We must appreciate the invaluable contributions of this middle age men who preferred calling themselves ‘boys’. This is not the only service Ijebu Boys Association are rendering to the people.”
He recalled that during COVID-19 pandemic, the association gave out massive palliatives in form of food items, saying, “they did this twice during the long pandemic.
They shared this across towns and villages in Ijebu land.
“My people in Ososa received from the goodies. They have other things they are still doing. I heard they even painted the hall they are using for this medical outreach. Let’s join hands to pray that God continues to prosper and protect them and their families.”
The Oru of Imoru Ijebu, Oba Adeposi Bashorun, who also participated, expressed delight about the initiative after he did his vital checks. He donated financially to the association.
The President of the association, Mr Olagbuyi Oduniyi commended its members in Nigeria and in diaspora for adopting and sponsoring the annual medical outreach as a give back to the community that gave birth to them.
Explaining how Ijebu Boys association came into being, the Publicity Director, Mr. Adetola Odusote said, “IJ Boys came into being in 2017 after the death of some of our prominent childhood friends in 2016, among whom were Bolaji Osinowo and T-Bello. Few of us came together to form a platform through which we could be checking on one another.
“We adopted the motto, ‘Idagbasoke Gbogbo Akile Ijebu’, meaning, the Progress of Ijebuland. We had as our mission statement; to cater for the well-being of our members and drive socio economic development of Ijebuland.”
Membership, he noted, is “by your root to Ijebuland or as a friend who grew up together with us and who had primary or secondary education in Ijebu in the 70s and 80s.
“We have liberalided conditions for membership by reducing age limit to 45. It can also be by marriage to Ijebu daughter or by resident in Ijebu land. But you must know at least three members who can attest to your character and commitment to IJ Boys cause.”