BY FRANK KINTUM, 4 AUGUST 2003
Lagos — The Jose Foundation, an international non-governmental organisation, which recently launched its website to make it possible for it to reach out to more less privileged in the society with its programmes has commenced its health programme.
The first two beneficiaries, who were of serious diability, got N300, 000 and N200,000 respectively for medical attention at a ceremony to present the money to them at the Foundation’s Ikeja secretariat recently.
Mr. Kester Oyiwe got N300,000 to enable him travel to Asia to seek better medical attention for his ailing gum.
Oyiwe, a middle aged man, resident in Palmgrove area of Lagos, is suffering from what medical experts termed cancer of the mouth. He has been suffering from the ailment for about three years.
Receiving the cheque from the Foundation’s President, Prince Martins Abhulimhen, the recipient was full of praises for the group’s initiative. Prophet Jerry Airende got N200,000 support as part of the efforts to help him in the treatment of a kidney ailment which started after the Kano riots of last year.
Airende said he was manhandled during the riots, as a result of which he sustained serious injuries, some of which have failed to heal.
He thanked the Foundation for its kind gesture, calling on government to support it so that it can continue with its health programme, among others.
Other than granting financial aid to deserving less privileged, the Foundation plans to fly in medical experts with specialised medical equipment at intervals to carry out surgeries on patients, who cannot travel abroad for treatments of such ailments as cancer, kidney transplant and heart diseases, among others.
With a mission statement, “Building Bridges to Eradicate Poverty and Improve Life”, Jose Foundation was established to assist governments and charitable organisations in their quest to help the impoverished peoples of the world over.
The organisation seeks to use its vast resources, as well as such funds and contributions it receives from world bodies, government institutions, aid donors and philanthropists all over the world to help develop communities in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean Island.
Abhulimhen, who is also the Founder of the Foundation, said: “we must develop our people, especially the intelligent handicapped; there must be hope for them; we have focused on scholarships for the handicapped and, we project to spend an average of N1b over a period of five years, beginning from this year.
The Foundation’swebsite, www.josefoundation.org, was unveiled recently in Lagos at a well attended ceremony.
Edmund Otudeko is the Foundation’s Vice President for Europe, Asia and Africa and Chris Ugboke, Vice President, North America.