Chief Rasaq Okoya medical outreach gave free healthcare to Lagos residents during his 86th birthday week
Chief Rasaq Akanni Okoya, founder of Eleganza Industrial City and one of Nigeria’s most prominent industrialists, marked his 86th birthday by organising a week-long free medical outreach for residents of Lagos, providing healthcare services to more than 1,000 people across Eti Osa and surrounding communities.
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The programme, titled Okoya @86 Medical Outreach, ran from January 5 to January 12 and offered comprehensive medical screening, laboratory tests, medications and health counselling to residents from Ajah, Jakande, Ikota, Iru, Eleko, Epe and nearby areas.
Instead of hosting a private celebration, Chief Okoya directed resources towards what organisers described as a deliberate effort to improve community health and promote early disease detection.
The outreach was hosted at the industrialist’s estate in Ajah, where hundreds of beneficiaries were attended to daily by medical professionals from both public and private healthcare institutions.
Speaking at the event, Chief Okoya said his decision was guided by gratitude and a belief that access to healthcare should not depend on income or status.
Chief Okoya said that early detection of health challenges had been central to his own wellbeing and that extending similar opportunities to others was a personal responsibility.
Mrs Folashade Okoya, Managing Director of Eleganza Industrial City Limited, said the outreach was intended to raise awareness about personal health management and encourage preventive care.
Shubomi Okoya, a director at Eleganza Industry, said the initiative reflected values the family hoped to pass on to the next generation.
The Lagos State Government was represented at the event by Dr Kemi Ogunyemi from the Ministry of Health, who described the outreach as a critical complement to public healthcare services and praised its scale and scope.
Dr Ogunyemi said initiatives of this nature helped reduce preventable illness through early diagnosis and community education.
Medical services provided included screening for hypertension, diabetes, HIV, tuberculosis, eye and dental conditions, breast and cervical cancer, prostate cancer and family planning counselling.
Each beneficiary also received free medication, a food package and transport support, according to organisers.
Healthcare providers participating in the programme said the level of engagement and turnout underscored significant unmet healthcare needs within local communities.
Prisca Anyakee of Grandville Hospital said more than 1,000 patients were screened during the week, while Dr David Ayanlere of Haven Eye Clinic said early stage eye conditions were detected and referred for further treatment.
Several beneficiaries expressed gratitude, saying the outreach provided services that would otherwise have been unaffordable.
Comfort Kakraba, a resident who attended the outreach, said the screenings offered reassurance and access she would not normally have.
Mallam AbdulMalik Kolawole said he received treatment for an eye condition and dental screening during his visit.
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The outreach concluded on January 12, Chief Okoya’s birthday, with organisers describing the programme as both a humanitarian intervention and a powerful reminder of the social responsibility attached to wealth.
Peculiar Adirika is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, business, and public affairs.
