The Iyase of.Benin Kingdom, Chief Sam Igbe led the array of awardees honoured for their outstanding contributions to humanity by the Lebarty Community Health Foundation in Benin City, Nigeria .
The colourful event which is the third in the series by the non-governmental organisation (NGO) Lebarty Community Health.Foundation, was attended by a galaxy of personalities from home and abroad.
There was also the unveiling of a book, titled, “The Journey,” written in honour of the founder of the Foundation, Dr Nosa Aigbe Lebarty, a Medical doctor based in the United States of America.
The Chairman of the occasion and Enogie of Ogbeson, HRH. Prof. Aduwa Ogiegbaen said the event is a rare display of a benevolent spirit and courage at a time when many people are reluctant to give back to the society that nurtured them.
He thanked Dr. Aigbe Lebarty for providing the time and space to honour persons who.have made significant contributions to the development of humanity.
Prof Ogiegbaen expressed the hope that the recognition accorded to the awardees would inspire them to do more for humanity.
The awardees were Prince Paul Orobosa Agbonlahor, Hon. Amb. D’ness Florence Gbinigie, Dr. Mrs. Julliet Urevbu and the Iyase of Benin, Chief Sam Igbe who is the Patron of the Foundation.
Before unveiling the book, the author, Pastor Mrs. Ovis Enahoro who is the Foundation’s Director of Communications gave an overview of the activities of the Foundation which includes giving of free medical outreach and charity donations to women, children and the less privileged in the society.
A Human Rights Activist, Mr. Nowinta Igbotako who reviewed the book,’The Journey,’ described it as a master- piece of literary work that captures the dreams, visions,
aspirations and the extra- ordinary courage of Dr. Nosa Aigbe Lebarty.
He commended the author for putting her pen to paper in a remarkable style that will compel the readers to savour the book from page to page.
As a testament to the theme of the event which was on the community renaissance, the audience were aptly thrilled by a Benin cultural group.
Earlier during the week in a bold and compassionate effort to assist the less- privileged, Lebarty Community Health Foundation held a one day free medical care services in Idumwonmwina Community, off the Lagos – Benin Road, Benin City.
At least, not less than one hundred persons were attended to by the team of doctors and nurses and other medical personnel recruited for the exercise.
The free Medi- care is a comprehensive service which includes examination, testing , dispensation of drugs and giving of free glasses to those with eye problems .
The founder of the Foundation, Dr. Nosa Aigbe Lebarty said the free Medi – care programme was a conscious and deliberate effort to give health care to those who are suffering from one ailment or the other but lacked the wherewithal to access healthcare services.
“This is our modest effort to give back to Edo People in the rural communities who nurtured us before our sojourn in the United States of America. We would continue to do our best to help our people in the areas of health.and education which we consider as the basic necessities of life”, he stated.
He also paid glowing tribute to his father who was present at the event for ensuring that they traveled to America to acquire knowledge and exposure to better ways of doing things in life, especially, service to humanity.
Dr. Nosa Aigbe Lebarty disclosed that the Foundation was building a state – of -the art hospital in Irhirhi Community, in Benin City.
Some of the beneficiaries of the free Medi- care expressed appreciation to Dr. Nosa Aigbe Lebarty and other members of the Foundation, for the initiative to come to their community.
One of them, Mrs. Roseline Agbonlahor said she has been down with typhoid fever and was tired of going.to the pharmacy all the time since she could not afford the cost of hospital bill.
She expressed optimism that the drugs dispensed at the free Medi-care by the Lebarty Community Health Foundation would help save her life.
