NTIC Foundation: A worthy CSR initiative
It is not every time such encounter occurs. Most times, we see them in best sellers and fictional novels. But the story of baby Ibrahim is real, and it happened in Yobe state-Nigeria.
Ibrahim is a six-month-old baby who was diagnosed with bilateral cataracts when a group of doctors and nurses from Nizamiye hospital Abuja visited Yobe state for a medical outreach program recently. The medical outreach was facilitated by the Nigerian Tulip International Colleges Foundation (NTICF) as a part of the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives of the NTIC schools in Nigeria.
According to Mr. Behlül Fatih Baaran, the director of NTIC foundation, the medical outreach in Yobe state is amongst the numerous initiatives lined out for the NTICF in 2017. “The choice of Yobe state is informed by the fact that we wanted to reach out to people in high need of Medicare” he stated.
“We at NTICF do not believe there should be barriers or excuses in reaching out to individuals in need especially in health-related issues.”
The case of baby Ibrahim is one out of the numerous medical conditions that were diagnosed during the program. One of the team members, Dr. Muammer Abdullahi, a consultant ophthalmologist, said Ibrahim’s case is a rare condition that would have led to blindness if it was not detected. “Ibrahim was diagnosed with bilateral cataract, which is a clouding of the lens in the eye which leads to a decrease in vision and if left untreated, would have caused blindness”
According to Mr. Basaran, “Baby Ibrahim is amongst the 1700 patients attended to by the team of doctors and nurses in Yobe state under the outreach program” he further added that Ibrahim some others with eye defects would be treated free of charge at the Nizamiye hospital.”
The NTIC Foundation was established in June 2013 with initiatives designed to heal the sick, feed the hungry, provide succor for the fatherless and the motherless, protect entire communities against preventable diseases provide nutritional support for poor households among others. In the past four years, the NTIC foundation has embarked on free medical services that have seen over 300 beneficiaries whose eyesight has been restored through the cataract removal program in collaboration with the Nizamye Hospital.
There is also its “Clean Water Project” which aims to protect millions of children who are especially vulnerable to waterborne diseases. On its motivation for the clean water project, the foundation has constructed over 300 boreholes in rural areas in Kano, Kaduna, and Abuja, Yobe, Bauchi, and Lagos states.
The NTICF also operates a unique scheme called I Support a Child’s Education where stationery items are distributed to primary school pupils in rural areas. The Foundation also carries out visitation to orphanages on a regular basis. “Orphans are the children of the whole nation, for that reason we feel their responsibility is on our shoulders.” Mr. Basaran stated in an emotional voice.
Recently, the Foundation launched a project to donate new clothes, toys and provides food stuff and renovates some orphanages in the country. It also intend to visit some IDP camps in Yobe state with over 5000 brand new clothing to give them a sense of belonging.
The NTIC foundation interventions in the critical areas of health, education, and water cannot be overemphasized in a country like Nigeria. It has redefined the concept of corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives. It has also gone ahead to serve as a worthy example to other institutions in Nigeria on how to give back to the society. The NTIC foundation seemed to have imbibed the traditional welfarist philosophy -from everyone according to his ability and everyone according to his needs. But whether or not the NTIC formally adopts it as its guiding philosophy, it is evident that Nigeria is not just a market; it is home and a place they are desirous of its growth and development.
Joshua Ocheja, Abuja.