11 July 2009
Lagos — In Complementing Akwa Ibom Government's free medical services to the elderly and its development renaissance, a USA-based philanthropist has offered free medical, surgical services to people in the state and donated water scheme worth millions of naira to Afaha Offiong community in Nsit Ibom Local Government Area.
Chief Akanimo Udofia, the philanthropist and indigene of Afaha Offiong had sponsored eight medical doctors, 20 nurses from United States of America and trained 30 auxiliary nurses, who treated 400 patients in the state as well as provided water project to the community to mark his 40th birthday celebrations.
At a grand reception for Udofia at Afaha Offiong, headquarters of Nsit Ibom LGA, Governor Godswill O. Akpabio appreciated the initiator for hearkening to the clarion call on individuals to complement government's effort by initiating life-touching projects to better the lots of the people.
Akpabio described the gesture as unique because the donor used his hard-earned financial resources to positively touch the lives of the down-trodden rather than entertaining the rich in expensive hotel as part of activities that marked his birthday.
"Whatever you do for humanity, you do for God. We need more of such magnanimous gesture to Akwa Ibom people. Let others come with a large medical team to touch lives. Small money you use for surgery can go a long way to put smiles on many faces," he noted.
The Governor hinted that his administration has renovated nine health centres, linked 15 villages to national grid and rehabilitated 45 schools in Nsit Ibom, pledging to complete Enen Road soon.
Akpabio, who was conferred with the chieftaincy title of Iberedem Afaha Offiong promised to look into requests by Afaha Offiong community, Eteidung U.J. Umo.
Alhaji Musa Gida, Chairman of the occasion and General Manager of Totalfina described the donor as a selfless person and asked other people to emulate his humanitarian style.
Also speaking, Senator Kabiru Gaya, Senate Minority Chief Whip and a one-time Governor Kano State, lauded the initiator for the kind gesture in touching lives, saying this was a better way to show love and care to the people.
Earlier, Udofia, the initiator had said he decided to celebrate his birthday by offering free medical services to people to complement Governor Akpabio's free medical services to the elderly and the pregnant women as well as by donating water project as a private initiative support of the governor's development strides.
He pledged to make the free medical services to people a yearly event and called on well-meaning individuals in the state emulate the gesture to enhance the health needs of the people.
Conferred with the chieftaincy title of Unwana Afaha Offiong, he announced donation of medical equipment used in treatment of people to some general hospitals in the state.
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