Egbewole commends Adepoju on free eye care
The Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, has expressed his appreciation to the Project Manager of the XOVA Cataract Surgical Project, Prof. Feyishayo Grace Adepoju, a Consultant Opthalmologist at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital.
Speaking at the University Auditorium penultimate Tuesday (February 27,2024) during the flag-off ceremony of the project, Prof. Egbewole said that the University is blessed for having such a wonderful woman who has passion for people in the local communities and has carried out several outreach programmes for people in the rural areas.
The Vice Chancellor posited that “sight is the most important part of the human body and what XOVA has done demonstrates compassion to the people.”
He congratulated the Project Manager and advised the team to go back to the drawing board and come up with strategies to make the dream of reaching 1200 people become a reality.
In her opening remarks, Prof. Adepoju explained that the flag-off of the XOVA Cataract Surgical Project 2024 was held to sensitise members of the public.
She appreciated the Vice Chancellor for his support for the project and anything that has to do with the University.
She explained that majority of health care providers are in the urban areas while more than 70% of those in need are in the rural areas thereby creating a need for community service advocacy.
The renowned Ophthalmologist revealed that she and her team have done many outreach eye surgery programmes in different towns and villages such as Offa, Igosun, Ajase, New Bussa, Erin Ile, and Okeho, among others.
She also revealed that her team has carried out several surgeries and treatment for patients with cataract and glaucoma within and outside the State and disclosed that the Department of Ophthalmology, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital can now do 50 surgeries within a day.
The don explained that from November 2023 till date, she and her team have worked with the Offa Descendants Union of United Kingdom (ODUKS) and the Offa Descendants Union of North America (ODUNA) among others.
She pointed out that all this was possible because of the support from all and sundry who contributed to the success of returning lost sights to their owners through community Eye Care.
She also revealed that the XOVA project has started training people in the local communities accross the State and majority of them can now practice in their various disciplines.
Prof. Adepoju urged the general public, particularly privileged individuals to contribute to the success of the project through financial or material donations.
In his appreciation message to the event, the Olofa of Offa, Oba Mufutau Gbadamosi Esuwoye II, who was represented by Asoju Oba of Offa, Chief Mooshood Adeniyi, expressed his appreciation to the XOVA team for successfully returning sight to the people.
Dignitaries at the programme included Prof. Ayo Ojuawo of the Department of Pediatrics and Child Health; Prof. M. O. Ajiboye, Prof O. O. K Ibrahim (MD CAM), several women groups and members of Abundant Life Church, among others.