By Mokwugwo Solomon, Awka
Alor Community in Idemili South local government area of Anambra State was agog on Thursday, March 20, 2025, when hundreds of rural dwellers - including men, women and children gathered at Dr. Chris Ngige Civic Center, Alor, to receive free medical care of the Health Initiative for Rural Dwellers championed by the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), and sponsored by Hon. Silas Emeka Okudo, Councilor representing Alor Ward 1, under Emeka Silas Okudo Foundation.
In her welcome address during the event, the Anambra State coordinator of NYSC, Mrs Blessing Ekene Iruma, said the initiative, launched in 2014, is a testament of the commitment of the NYSC towards improving the well-being of undeserved communities across Nigeria.
According to her, the initiative leverages the expertise and dedication of NYSC's corps medical personnel to provide free medical services, health education, and disease prevention campaigns to rural population.
She added that over the years, the programme has positively impacted millions of rural dwellers - addressing critical health challenges.
She said that beyond providing medical services, the programme also advocate for healthy living lifestyle, as well as emphasizing the importance of preventive healthcare, proper nutrition and regular exercise and good hygiene.
In his welcome remarks, the sponsor of the health initiative, Hon. Emeka Silas Okudo, said he was moved to take up sponsorship of the programme because of his thoughtfulness towards humanity.
He noted that there are hundreds of thousands of rural dwellers, who are sick, but cannot afford medical care; adding that the reason his foundation engaged in sponsoring the medical mission was to help poor citizens get medicare at no cost.
He thanked NYSC for coming up with such programme, saying that he would always identify with such initiative.
Member of the Anambra State House of Assembly representing Idemili South State Constituency, Hon. (Bar) Ebuka Igwe, commended NYSC and the sponsor of the programme, Hon. Okudo, for coming up with such initiative. According to him, such initiative, if sustained, would help reduce mortality rate in the society.
Also speaking, Hon. Amaka Obi (Iyom Ifeabata) , who described Hon. Okudo as a strong APGA supporter, said that the Alor Ward 1 councillor, copied the health initiative from Governor Charles Soludo, who she said, is not joking about the state's health sector.
Describing Soludo as a titan in the development of all sectors of Anambra's economy, Hon. Obi said that the governor should be given every support to thrive on his quest to reposition Anambra State.
Iyom, who also praised the wife of the governor, Mrs Nonye Soludo, for championing healthy living for women in Anambra, also urged all to support Governor Soludo's second term bid.
President General of Alor People's Convention (Women Wing), Lady Ifeoma Uzokwe, also commended the free healthcare initiative of the NYSC and Hon. Silas Emeka Okudo Foundation, which she said, helped in treating indigent rural dwellers of different ailments.
Lady Uzokwe, a retired school principal, and former education secretary in Idemili North, said that the initiative is in conformity with Gov. Charles Soludo's programme in the health sector, and urged all and sundry to support the governor's bid to come for a second tenure, so that he would consolidate on his many achievements.
On his part, a stakeholder in Alor community, Chief Dr. Okechukwu Ezidiaku, commended the councillor for sponsoring the programme, which he said, would help restore wellness to the rural dwellers.
He also commended Governor Soludo's administration for its giant strides in the health sector; saying that the governor has done well enough to deserve a second term.
Beneficiaries, Mrs Ugochi Eze and Mr. Ndubueze Ikeh, thanked NYSC and Hon. Silas Emeka Okudo Foundation for assisting them in treating their health challenges.
According to them, they have lived with the ailments for years because of lack of finance to take care of themselves; but that the free medical service has help them take care of their health.
Others that graced the occasion include, Dr. Vera Nwadinobi (Chairman, ASUDEB), Chief Emma Ojukwu, PG, Alor People's Convention, represented by the PRO. Speaker of Idemili, Rt Hon. Ernest Ezeunyim, Deputy Speaker, Hon. Valentine Mbadugha, Majority leader, Hon. Prince Chibueze Okoli.
Others are: Rev. Cannon Ikechukwu Agbo, Dr. Egbe Jane of NAFDAC among other dignitaries.