As the final burial ceremony of the late Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun, Alli Okunmade II commences today, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), Tukur and Tukur Foundation has come up with a three-day free medical outreach to honour the departed monarch.
Tukur and Tukur Foundation was set up by the Aare Akinrogun of Ibadanland, who was former Chief of Army Staff and former Ambassador to Benin Republic, Lt. Gen. Yusuf Buratai (rtd).
Chairman, Board of Trustees (BoT), Col. Haruna Idris Zaria (rtd) who led a 15-member team of medical personnel to Ibadan for the outreach disclosed that the outreach, “Is the foundation’s way of saying final goodbye to an illustrious and enigmatic personality.”
The outreach, which kicked off on Thursday at the Aliiwo family compound of the late Olubadan, held at the same venue on Friday while the third and the final day holds today at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium (former Liberty Stadium), Oke-Ado, Ibadan, venue of the final burial ceremony of the late Oba Balogun.
Speaking on the programme, the BoT chairman explained that the foundation, which was founded in November 2012 felt compelled to come to Ibadan during this period to be part of the final burial activities, considering the fact that the foundation could not participate in all the previous programmes relating to the passing of the late Oba Balogun like the actual burial, the Fidau prayers held on the 8th and 41st days.
He said the foundation was set up as an interventionist organ to assist government in its own little ways having realized that government alone, however buoyant it may be cannot do all, adding that “we are happy doing what we are doing; consulting, treating and giving drugs out to people freely.
“We are not afraid of people’s turn-out because we are well prepared for the outreach as you can see what we have in our Pharmacy corner.
“The foundation, because of our verifiable activities, enjoys a lot of good will. We are open to well-wishers to donate and we receive donations from individuals, corporate organisations and international agencies and it’s through these and our efforts that we are able to discharge our mandate of touching lives,”.
