The Lagos State Coordinator of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Mrs. Yetunde Baderinwa has commended a serving corps member, Dr. Odede Joseph for inaugurating an eye clinic in a primary healthcare center in the state.
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony of the facility which is within the premises of Ilasamaja Primary Healthcare Center (PHC), Oshodi-Isolo LGA on Friday, Baderinwa noted that giving back to the community is one of the values of the scheme as she showered encomium on Joseph for embarking on the project.
Her words, “It’s a very beautiful project and we are proud to be associated with it. This is what NYSC is all about. For us to identify needs in the local community and try to solve them. We are happy to be part of it.”
Speaking further, she said; “We are encouraged by the initiatives, it is not everything we should leave to federal government or state or local government. Individuals Philanthropists, individuals, and multinationals when they support the effort of the government makes governing easier, and it brings everything to the local community. It is not just the government alone. I’m happy that the individual that is helping with this project is a single person not a government agency. It sends a message to everybody, let’s join hands together to support the government.
She concluded by extending the commendation to the sponsor of the project and the local government for giving room for such partnership, “I’m very proud of this local government because it has to be a council chairman that has the interest of his people at heart for him to support and encourage and give approval. We’ve been told that he will also support us financially what else can we ask for.”
Joseph, a graduate of Optometry from Madonna University, explained that he was encouraged to undertake the project having found out that there’s a need for such in the PHC in order to further enhance medical healthcare given to eye patients.
He added that he only identified the problem and sought sponsors and he hopes to get the project for ready for commissioning by December.
“I identified the problem and sought for sponsor, I’ve been able to get one and that’s what has led to this groundbreaking exercise. I still hope to get more because I was told that I can’t use my personal fund.
“I feel good about the project and I hope to get it completely done by December because that’s where the big pleasure lies for me to see that there’s a place where quality eye care can be given to the people of Ilasamaja.”
The sponsor, Mr. Chiwendu Onwuchekwa explained that he was encouraged to bankroll the project by his passion for humanity and also for the glory of God.
The chairman of Isolo LCDA, Otunba Adebayo Olasoju who was represented by the Secretary to the Local Government (SLG) Hon. Sikiru Adeshina Salisu lauded Joseph for the initiative and promised needed support for the completion of the project.
