Ogun Muslim council moves to promote healthy lifestyle, flags-off medical outreach in Ijebu-Ode

Ogun State Muslim Council has started promotion of healthy lifestyle among its Ummah, with the flagging off of a maiden quarterly Medical Outreach in Ijebu-Ode, where more than 500 beneficiaries enjoyed free healthcare services.

The outreach, which commenced in Ijebu zone of the State Muslim Council, on Sunday, is to be rotated among the zones, including Egba, Remo and Yewa every three -months

President-General of the State Muslim Council and the Olowu of Owu-Kingdom, Oba (Professor) Saka Adelola Matemilola, represented by Vice-President General (Ijebu zone), Otunba (Engineer) Fatai Arowolo, revealed this while flagging off the outreach at Oke-Oyinbo Primary Health Centre ,  describing health as the most important aspect of life

In Islam, according to him, good health is not just a necessity; it is a profound blessing and a sacred trust from Almighty Allah

“It is the most essential pillar of human existence and its failure automatically undermines our ability to fully engage in our daily endeavours and our acts of worship (Ibadah),” he said.

Oba Matemilola explained that the initiative was put together to foster a physically vibrant, strong and healthy Muslim community in the state.

The president general expressed deep appreciation to philanthropists, medical professionals, partners and volunteers, who committed their resources, time and expertise to ensure the success of the programme.

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He promised that the initiative would move round every three-months to other of Remo, Egba and Yewa zone yearly, encouraging Muslims across the state to always take advantage of the outreach to know their health status and ensure better healthy living.

Similarly the Secretary-general of OMC, Asiwaju Kamaldeen Akintunde, said the programme was organised to build a vibrant, strong and healthy Muslim community, who is ready to contribute its quota to the growth of Nigeria and Ogun State in particular.

“To ensure a healthy lifestyle, we must have this kind of a programme for early detection of deceases. . We must pray and fulfill our obligations to Allah, we must be healthy to worship Allah,” he stressed.

Earlier, Chairman of the Central Planning Committee and General Purpose Committee of the State Muslim Council, Alhaji Waheed Qadri said that the programme was conceived to demonstrate the council’s commitment to the welfare and development of the Muslim Ummah and wider society

“The programme is therefore designed to provide free basic healthcare services, promote preventive healthcare and encourage early detection of health conditions among members of our communities. Through medical consultation, health screening, eye and dental services, laboratory investigations, medication and health education, we hope to make a modest but meaningful contribution to the health and well-being of our people”, he stated

While appreciating the Ijebu zone for hosting the maiden edition of the quarterly rotationally Medical Outreach, he maintained that the objective of the initiative is to ensure that the benefits of the programme are not concentrated in one location but are progressively taken to communities across the State

He appreciated members of the committee, noting the efforts of the host Chairman, Alhaji (Omoba) Akib Adebola Yisa-Adebanjo, medical professionals, volunteers and donors amongst other individuals and organizations

“I appeal to all stakeholders to see it as a collective responsibility. Its success and sustainability will depend on our ability to work together, mobilize resources, maintain proper accountability and continuously improve the programme from one edition to another “, he pleaded

Also pledging its continuous participation, the State Chairman of Islamic Medical Association of Nigeria (IMAN), Dr. Ibraheem Ope-ewe said that the association would continue to be available for the programme while urging members of the public to take advantage of medical outreach to know their health status, by going for regular medical check up for early detection of deceases and preventive measures against any form of illness

One of the Key donors to the health initiative, Aare Musulumi of Ijebuland , Musbau Oyefeso stressed the importance of medical outreach, saying Muslims must embrace the culture regular medical check up, while calling on clerics to always incorporate health talks in their sermon to promote healthy lifestyle among Muslims in the country

Some of the beneficiaries, Azeezat Ayilara who visited Dentists at the centre, lauded the medical personnel for their prompt response to the complain about her teeth and thanked organizers for the programme

Also Hussein Abdul-Roheem who received eye glasses eye dropband Muniru Idowu who was given eye- for continuous treatment of one of his eyes applauded the Optomologists I for their responses during the medical outreach, commending the State Muslim Council for the initiative

High point of the event was presentation of certification to the committee members and medical personnel for their commitment to the success of the programme , particularly the likes of Hajia Kudirat Yeni and Dr. Oloko.