Babcock varsity alumni organise outreach in Lagos community

Babcock University Alumni Association has extended its humanitarian gestures to the people of Makoko, an underserved and waterfront community in Lagos, giving them food items, toiletries, clothing, and also providing them with free medical services.

The alumni group organised the outreach under the university’s Alumni Connectivity and Philanthropy Unit, on Sunday, December 21st.

Speaking at the event, Mr. Jonathan Dangana, the Associate Vice President of Alumni Connectivity and Philanthropy of the university, noted that the outreach was put together to put a smile on faces of Makoko residents, especially at this period of economic downturn.

He described Makoko community as one that faces severe deprivation of basic human needs and amenities, hence the importance of supporting them.

He observed that the community is clearly challenged by lack of basic necessities of life.

“That is why we came to distribute free food items, toiletries, clothing, and also provide free medical services to them, believing that the gesture would make positive impact in them,” he said.

Dangana revealed that the alumni association plans to sustain the initiative by organising the outreach at least once yearly for the next five years, with the possibility of expansion in the future.

He mentioned that lessons learned from each outreach would help strengthen subsequent programmes.

Dagana however commended former and the current students of the university who are supporting the cause of the alumni group, saying the efforts are yielding great result,

He promised more intervention of similar gesture to the commnuty and other underserved communities in the country, saying smallest blessing at time becomes most valuable.

In their separate remarks at the event, Baale of Makoko Kingdom, Stephen Aji, and Chairman, Community Development Association of Houses on the Lagoon, Mr. Honfor Olorunwa, expressed gratitude to the alumni group for the outreach, describing it as timely and impactful.

Baale noted that some residents had lived in the community for several years without ever visiting a clinic.

He appealed for more frequent interventions and called on the government and other organisations to provide basic amenities such as clean water, healthcare facilities, solar power and public toilets to the community.

The outreach was widely welcomed by residents, who described it as a gesture of hope and relief.

Apart from distribution of food items and other consumables to attendees, general medical consultations, checkup and free medications were provided to those who needed them while referrals were provided for serious cases.

In addition, a spiritual support team, including pastors, also prayed with residents during the programme.

NIGERIAN TRIBUNE