As part of their resolve to continue to enhance health care service delivery and the people’s wellbeing, the Offot Ukwa Association USA INC. have donated a digitalized Xray machine to St. Luke’s Hospital, Anua Offot, Uyo.
Speaking during the formal presentation and commissioning ceremony at the hospital’s premises on Thursday, the President of the group; Sir Michael Asuquo (KSJI) stated that the group’s charitable works would be sustained and thanked members of the organisation for their continued support for the projects. He said it is important to continually upgrade facilities in the health sector of the state so as to enhance diagnosis and treatment. Hence, their decision to procure and donate the digitalized x-ray machine.
In his address before formally commissioning the equipment, the local ordinary of Uyo Catholic diocese; His Lordship, Rt. Rev. Dr. John Ebebe Ayah commended the donor for choosing St. Luke’s Hospital as the beneficiary of such sophisticated equipment, adding that he is pleased to know there are people out there who despite the distance always remember to support institutions back home.
Similarly, the Hospital administrator; Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Gabriel Ekong applauded Offot Ukwa Association for the kind gesture as well as their continued partnership and promised to make judicious use of the equipment, while maintaining that it would go a long way to improve their capacity as a medical institution and help save lives.
Delivering his goodwill message; the Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for health; Prof. Augustine Vincent Umoh who also poured encomium on Offot Ukwa Association for remembering their kinsmen back home, said the importance of modern health facilities in medical practice cannot be overestimated. He advised the Hospital management to make good use of the Xray machine and ensure it serves it’s intended purpose.
In a related event held at the Alpha Hall, Fresh Spring Hotels and Towers, the group also doled out scholarship award to 65 students from Ofrot Ukwa Clan in Uyo Local Government Area, studying in tertiary institutions across Nigeria. The education grant project totalling 6.5 million Naira saw 65 students from Offot Ukwa Clan receive cheques of a hundred thousand naira each in support of their academic pursuit.
The President, Offot Ukwa Association USA Inc; Sir Michael Asuquo congratulated recipient of the education grant and urged them to use what they have received well, study hard and ensure they all graduate in flying colours. He thanked members if the organisation for their steadfastness and sacrifices towards achieving the organisation’s goals.
The Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Trade and Investment; Dr. John Etim who happens to be a former President of Offot Ukwa Association USA Inc. praised members of the organisation for always making sacrifices to support humanity, He congratulated the recipients and advised them to ensure the funds received should be used only for what it was intended.
In his remarks, the President Akwa Ibom State Association of Nigeria (AKISAN); Obong Itoro Akpan-Iquot extolled the group for what he described as remarkle gestures and particularly praised members for giving back to the society.
The Chairman, Project and Scholarship Committee Offot Ukwa Association USA INC; Akparawa Aniekan Etim maintained that education is a major driving force in development and seeing the need to develop that sector, the group opted to donate desks to schools and award scholarship to those studying in schools of higher learning.
Responding on behalf of the recipients, Ataima Abasi Okon a University of Uyo students who hails from Ikot Okubo Offot expressed profound gratitude to the donors and promised to make good use of the money they have received.