By Ayo Ajayi
When some researchers visited Oke-Odan for the first time, four years back, one of the many things that caught their attention was a dilapidated Community Health and Maternity Centre, the only one in a sprawling community situated in Owode-Yewa South of Ogun State.
Although the University had since carried out some community services in the area in the past, the number one University in Nigeria and West Africa came calling again on Friday, September 27, 2019. This time around, to commission the newly renovated Community Health and Maternity Centre and offer free medical services to the people.
The Covenant University Community Development Impact Initiative Committee (CUCDIIC), a unit through which the University carry out its Corporate Social Responsibilities, organised the event to coincide with the 65th birthday of the Chancellor, Dr. David Oyedepo, tagged, David Oyedepo Day of Service (DODOS).
On hand to commission the centre where some members of the University Management, led by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor Akan Williams; the University Chaplain, Pastor Kayode Martins; Director, Financial Services, represented by an Auditor, Mr. Adegbaju and Chief Medical Officer, represented by Dr. Idachaba.
Professor Williams spoke on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, Professor AAA Atayero. He emphasised that one of the responsibilities of a university was community service, adding that a university without any impact on its community is not a university at all.
Also speaking on the significance of the day, the Chair, CUCDIIC, Mrs. Aderonke Asaolu stated that the day which was in the honour of the Chancellor was also to assist the people in the area of health. “The University renovated the Health and Maternity Centre so that the people will not be exposed to more diseases despite they came to treat one or the other,” she explained.
One of the highlights of the event was the donation of an undisclosed amount of money to two children that were born on the same day, sharing a birthday with Dr. Oyedepo.
The University also tested and gave drugs to over 200 adults and children who filled the Ifesowapo Community Town Hall, the venue of the event. They were also given eyeglasses.
The monarch of the town, the Oloke-Odan of Oke-Odan, His Royal Highness, Oba (Dr.) Olurotimi Fagbenro expressed appreciation to Dr. Oyedepo and the University community for the love shown to his people and was optimistic that greater things would still be done in the community by the University.
Also present at the event were the members of the CUCDIIC, CU Medical Centre and HOPE Foundation of the University Alumni group.
Leave a Reply