By Inusa Ndahi, Maiduguri
The Vice-Chancellor of Abuja-based Nile University, Professor Dili Dogo, in collaboration with Afro Eye Foundation, AEF, have embarked on free test and medical outreach treatment for thousands of people with Eye-Related Impairment, ERI, mostly drawn from Southern Borno senatorial district.
Recall that the exercise, which earlier targeted about 500 patients between 29th and 31st of December 2023, at the Marama General Hospital, in Hawul Local Government Area of Borno State, witnessed massive turn out of over 3,000 people, who were all given drugs, glasses or medical advises.
The VC, a Professor of Surgery and philanthropist has fulfilled his annual distribution of wrappers and cash to thousands of widows in Marama community during the yelutide.
At the closing ceremony of the ERI treatment exercise yesterday, Professor Dogo, while addressing journalists said the exercise was part of his personal social responsibility, as a medical doctor who is perturbed by increasing sight impairments amongst the local population.
He said, “This medical outreach is not political, but is part of my effort and that of Afro Eye Foundation, AEF, to help our people, especially those suffering from eye-related problems, but cannot afford to go to various hospitals and clinics for treatment.
“As you can see, initially, we targeted only 500 people for this pilot scheme, but more than 3,000 people turned up for the exercise, we have put all necessary measures to ensure that all those who turned out for the exercise benefits from the gesture.”
Professor Dogo, who also hails from Marama town appreciated his people for conducting themselves peacefully, and acknowledged the collaboration efforts of the AEF and all stakeholders before, during and after the exercise, which he said, is going to be routine.
In a vote of thanks on behalf of the beneficiaries, the Caretaker Management Committee Chairman, whose local government is the focal area, Mr Inuwa Bwala, commended Professor Dogo for the gesture.
He said it is noble of the Vice Chancellor, to look back at where he is coming from and offered such a gesture.
Mr Bwala said he is aware the Professor has been offering helping hands to many under-previledged people in the community, but the free eye care is perhaps the one that has caught public attention and endear Dogo the more to his people.
He also commended the people in the communities around Hawul council area and beyond for mobilizing patients who massively turned out and benefited from the gesture, even as he called on well-to-do individuals to emulate Professor Dogo’s humanitarian assistance.
