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From Tony Osauzo, Benin
Over 3,000 persons from Edo and Delta states have benefitted from free life-changing surgeries initiated by Dr. Paddy Emmanuel Foundation, which commenced operations 10 years ago.
Director General of the foundation, Zion Oshiobugie, who disclosed this in Benin City yesterday, explained that the first nine editions of the yearly programme took place in Delta, adding that Edo is hosting this year edition of the programme for the first time, where 100 surgeries are slated to be carried out during the one-week programme, which will end next Saturday.
He said the founder, Dr. Paddy Iyamu, uses the programme to give support to people every year to celebrate his birthday on November 30.
“What he does is to mark his birthday on November 30, every year with free surgeries which have benefitted 3000 persons. He wants humanity to benefit from his birthday instead of just partying.
“So, this programme, which takes place for one week every year, is borne out of love for humanity, which is inline with the motto of our foundation, ‘Touching lives.’
“Every year, we partner with our surgeon, Dr. Benjamin Olowojebutu, who brings his team from Lagos. He has been one of our partners and he is a respected member of the Nigeria Medical Association,” Oshiobugie added.
Dr. Olowojebutu said he was always happy to be at the programme to perform life-changing surgeries on the people, disclosing that he got the call to give back to the society after he was involved in a ghastly motor accident years ago.
“I am here with 24 members of my team from Lagos. We perform fibroid surgeries which have allowed women to have their own children. We also perform hernia, liponia, breast lump and other surgeries.
“Last week, we got a text that one of the women we operated on in 2020 now has three kids. That means this intervention is creating relief for our people.
“The focus is on the less privileged because when you do this, you give to God. Each year we come back, people give testimonies of the good things that have happened to them,” he revealed.
Dr. Iyamu, Commissioner for Education in Edo State, said life is all about giving back and that he is happy to impact the society.
“Life is all about what you can give back to the people because you come with nothing and you go back with nothing. I have been giving back to society in the past 10 years and to impact the people.
“This gesture is outside politics. We started as far back as 2014 and we have been doing it every year. Some people who come for treatment tell you, they have not had food to eat, not to talk of getting money, which sometimes runs into millions to give to the doctor.
“The experience in the last 10 years has been fulfilling and impactful. I am happy to see burdens lifted off people.
“Life is vanity and when you are gone, you will be remembered for what you have done. I hope to continue till Jesus calls me,” Iyamu stated.
