Sanusi Celebrates with Visually Challenged People
The Proprietress of Benchmark Montessori School, in Ikeja, Lagos, Alhaja Medinat Abiola Sanusi recently embarked on Medical Outreach in Ota, Ogun State to commemorate her 70th birthday and 50th wedding anniversary. Six cataract surgical operations were carried out and over 150 people were given free medicated glasses.
It is a common cliché that it is good to be our brother’s keeper. But if we do self-examination, how often do we demonstrate the above statement. This is why the Managing Director of Cosmic Insurance Brokers, Dr. Teslim Sanusi and his wife, Alhaja Medinat Abiola Sanusi, the Proprietress of Benchmark Montessori School based in Ikeja, who have chosen the art of giving as a hobby deserve commendation.
They are usually quiet, unassuming, humble, and to say they are an accomplished couple is an understatement. On Thursday December 21, 2017, Ota and its environment stood still for Dr. Teslim Sanusi and his wife, Alhaja Medinat Abiola Sanusi, when both of them, accompanied by their children and grand-children (both home and abroad), well-wishers and Lions club members stormed Ota during a medical outreach to the less-privileged in commemoration of the 70th birthday and 500th wedding anniversary of Alhaja Medinat Abiola Sanusi.
Some of the activities carried out were free eye screening and treatment, provision of free eye glasses and cataract surgery, as well as lectures on diabetes and eye care.
This is not the first time the Sanusis would visit this center, as her husband also carried out similar medical outreach when he turned 70 about five years ago. It is on record that LCIF Ophthalmic/Eye Bank Centre, State Hospital was commissioned 10 years ago when the celebrant’s husband (Dr. Teslim Sanusi) was the District Gover- nor 404B Nigeria between 2006 and 2007.
In collaboration with the Ogun State government, he spearheaded the Eye Centre, the project many believed was unachievable. He did not only throw his weight behind it, but also ensured that the center was commissioned.
The programme commemorating the twin event started on Monday December 18, 2017 with screening exercise to identify those who required medication for eye ailment, medicated eye glasses to correct eye vision or surgery to remove cataract. The family embark on the medical intervention to assist the less privileged with eye problems, who could not afford to fund such treatment. That Thursday morning, LCIF Ophthalmic/Eye Bank Centre was filled to capacity as over 150 people waited patiently for this medical intervention while those who had been operated upon earlier on were also waiting for the bandage to be removed. It was a moment of joy.
Throwing more light on the motive behind the Medical Outreach, Dr. Sanusi said it was his wife and children’s idea to reach out to the less privileged to celebrate the wife’s 70th milestone and 50th anniversary of a beautiful union so that the whole celebration would not be limited to elaborate ceremony and reception alone.
He thanked the beneficiaries for honouring the family’s humanitarian gesture and prayed that God would continue to strengthen their vision. He implored the invited guest to always make giving to their fellow human beings a priority because God loves a cheerful giver.
Among the beneficiaries of cataract surgical operation was Alhaja Shakirat Hassan, who hails from Sango Ota, Ogun State. In an emotional voice she said she had been having eye problem for more than five years and claimed to have approached a humanitarian club in the area in 2015 but they couldn’t come to her aid. “I learnt about this medical mission from people and I came here without knowing anybody. If I want to do it outside, it would have caused me close to a N100,000. Where would I get such money? Regardless of the economic situation in the country, a family came out of their comfort zone to help, without knowing me. And with the surgery I have regained my vision as I can see clearly. What can I say? Alhaja Sanusi would live long in good health and prosperity. Her children would find favour in the sight of God and men. I am indeed very grateful.”
And for Rev. Amos Babatunde Olojede, he couldn’t believe this was real as the Sanusis have demonstrated what to be one’s brother’s keeper. I have been having problems with my eyes for the past three years. I came to this eye center in 2014 and I was told that I needed medicated glasses after the screening but the problem continued. I learnt about this medical outreach through a neighbour and I came, screened, short-listed and my eye was operated upon.
This would have cost me between N50,000 or N70,000 outside. I am still in shock that people who don’t know me can commit such resources to other fellow human being. If we have the likes of the Sanusis in this country, it would be a better place for us to live. For me, God is the only rewarder and He would reward them abundantly.”
For the elated Alhaji Rufai Kehinde and Mrs. Amidu Kehinde, who were among those who benefitted from medicated glasses, they also thanked the Sanusi family. “As they have liberated us from darkness, we pray that darkness will not envelope them and their entire household.”