More than 300 residents of Ilara in the Epe Division of Lagos State have received free healthcare services as part of activities marking the fifth coronation anniversary of the Alara of Ilara Kingdom, Oba (Dr.) Olufolarin Olukayode Ogunsanwo.
EpeInsights learnt that the outreach, organised by the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), provided a wide range of services including eye tests and prescription glasses, dental care, malaria testing, blood sugar and blood pressure checks, cancer screening, health counselling and free medications.
Speaking during the exercise, NIMR’s Director-General, Professor John Obafunwa, said the initiative was inspired by the monarch’s vision to make healthcare more accessible to his people.
“This medical programme was designed to ensure our people are physically and medically fit. With my background in both education and medicine, I see it as a duty to give back to the community and complement the efforts of our royal father in promoting wellness,” he said.
Oba Ogunsanwo, who personally inspected the treatment stations, thanked the medical team and emphasised the importance of good health in building a prosperous community.
“We cannot have a progressive community without healthy people. My reign has always been about the welfare of my people, and health is at the core of that vision. This will not be a one-off event,” the monarch assured.
For many beneficiaries, the outreach was life-changing. Mrs. Fatimah Agbomeji, a petty trader who received free glasses, said it restored her ability to work effectively.
“I have been struggling to read prices and count money for years because of poor eyesight. Today, I can see clearly again, and it feels like a new life,” she said.
Another beneficiary, Mr. Jamiu Adekoya, who had lived with untreated dental pain, expressed relief after receiving treatment.
“I feel much better now. I had been postponing a visit to the dentist because of the cost, but today I was treated for free. God bless the Alara and the doctors,” he said.
Community leaders welcomed the initiative, noting that many rural and semi-urban communities still lack access to affordable healthcare.
The medical outreach formed part of a week-long programme to celebrate the monarch’s fifth coronation anniversary, which also includes youth empowerment projects, cultural activities, and the commissioning of local infrastructure.
