As part of its efforts in reaching out to critical stakeholders ahead of the Saturday, 11th November Governorship election in the state, the Ododo Support Organisation, OSO through her Directorate for Outreach & Intervention organises health enlightenment and Free Medical Outreach for members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) in Lokoja Mega Terminal, Lokoja.
The exercise which was held on Tuesday 7th 2023, in Lokoja, was part of the organisation’s efforts in canvassing for supports and votes for the APC Governorship candidate, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo and his running mate, Comrade Salifu Joel Oyibo in the forthcoming Gubernatorial Election slated for Saturday.
The medical outreach which includes Eye Sight Check, Blood Pressure Check, Blood Sugar Checks and General Vitals Checks was flagged-off by the Director General of the Organisation, Engr. Suleiman Aminu Adaira (PhD).
In his opening remark, the Director General stated that the Free Medical Outreach programme is one of the critical components of the organisation’s activities to mobilise public supports for its principal in the forthcoming election.
Emphasing the significant roles played by the members of NURTW and RTEAN in electioneering process of Nigeria, Engr. Adaira noted that members of the union are major stakeholders that the incoming administration considers as key in its development plans, and as such should be supported to emerge as the next Governor of the state.
The Director General said that the Free Medical Outreach is billed also to create a platform to interact with the union members on how to exercise their franchise in favour of the APC Governorship candidate in the election.
On his part, the Medical Team Lead of the Directorate of Outreach & Interventions, Dr. Yahaya Yusuf Ondeku, underscores the key roles and importance of the road transport workers in not just the electioneering processes but also plays a significant role in the socio-economic affairs of our dear state, and as such, their health is critical to the overall development of our state.
Also speaking at the event, the Lead Pharmacist of the Directorate, Pharmacist Abdulrahman Umar, emphasises the roles of Road Transport Workers in the conveyance of election personnel and electoral materials in every election season.
Pharmacist Umar noted that members of the union contributed significantly to the growth of Gross Domestic Product, GDP of the state because the Mega Terminal has created a new vista of economic activities for petty traders, and as such, their health must be a top priority of the incoming administration and thus, urged them to vote for the APC candidate.
On his part, the host Director, OSO Outreach and Interventions Directorate, Hon. Ahmed Saka Bachido, commended the union members and described them as a critical component of the country’s democratic journey.
Hon. Bachido assured the union members of the organisation’s continued supports and partnership, particularly in the critical area of health and urged them to vote enmass for the duo APC Governorship ticket, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo and Comrade Salifu Joel Oyibo in this Saturday election.
On their separate remarks, the state Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) Alhaji Yahaya Ibrahim (Oliver) who was represented at the event by the state Vice Chairman of the Union, Alhaji Ibrahim Danladi thanked the Organisation for bringing the Outreach to their doorstep, describing it as one-too-many intervention. He reiterated the Union’s willingness to support the APC candidate in this Saturday election, and urge the Organisation for continual partnership.
The state Chairman of the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), Alhaji Aliyu Aka’ba who was also represented by the state Secretary, Mr. Musa Baba challenged the Organisation to keep to its promises even after election because they can no longer be used and dumped by politicians as witnessed in the previous elections. He therefore, promised to mobilise his members to support the APC candidate in this election, declaring the APC candidate as Governor awaiting Inauguration.
The highlight of the occasion was the Day long Medical exercises which included medical checks, distribution of Free Eye glasses & drugs to the beneficiaries by the Professional Medical Experts which include: Optometrists, Laboratory Scientists, Pharmacists, Nurses, and a General Medical Practitioners.