Saturday 26th of May, 2012, was
indeed a remarkable day for millions of Nigerians both at home and in the
Diaspora. It was a day when one of the world’s finest vascular surgeons, Dr
Azeez Popoola Adeduntan left scalpels, scissors, forceps, retractors and even
the operating room to attend to another venture aimed at saving lives and
bringing succor to the less privileged individuals both in Nigeria and United
States of America.
It was a day when Nigerians and
Americans from all walks of life converged to launch the much publicized Non
Government Organization known as Dr Azeez Popoola Adeduntan Foundation (DAPAF).
The foundation according to the Founder and Initiator, Dr Azeez Popoola
Adeduntan was set up exclusively for healthcare delivery, charitable medical,
scientific and educational purposes; for disadvantaged individuals in Nigeria
and the USA, regardless of tribe, sex, religion or national origin.
While speaking at the event, Dr
Adeduntan, who was also the gubernatorial candidate of the Labour Party in the
2011 election in Oyo State, stated that the motive for setting up the
foundation is to provide assistance to the less privileged individuals both in
Nigeria and United States of America where the international chapter of the NGO
is situated.
In his word: “The
foundation shall at all times be operated exclusively for charitable purposes
within the meaning of Section 501(c) (3) of the USA Internal Revenue Code of
1986, and in compliance with the extant statutes governing Non Governmental
Organization (NGO), by the Corporate Affairs Commission of the Federal Republic
of Nigeria.”
He added that all contributions
to the foundation are 100% tax deductible in both Nigeria and the USA, saying
that our Tax ID number in the USA is 45-2747496 and in Nigeria, it is CAC/IT/NO
51288."
According to him, a Nigerian
Prosthetist resident in the State of New Jersey has volunteered to come to
Nigeria to distribute prosthesis (artificial legs) to amputees free of charge,
regardless of tribe or religion, as long as they can get to Ibadan office of
DAPAF.
“Nigerian vascular Surgeon
resident in the State of North Carolina has also pledged to provide free
surgical service to any Nigerian as long as the patient can reach DAPAF office
in Ibadan; same with a white Cardio-thoracic surgeon, Nigerian Neuro-surgeon,
Cardio-thoracic Surgeons, Nephrologists (kidney doctors), Cardiologists(Heart
specialists), Nurses and so many others.”
He further stated that doctors in
Nigeria, resident in and outside Ibadan have also pledged material and
professional support to the foundation, including orthopedic surgeons, plastic
surgeons, gynecologists and general practitioners.
“DAPAF is an eternal foundation, not
episodic medical missions, carried out by individuals and some State governments
to hoodwink Nigerians with political charade, as the
initiator-Dr.Adeduntan, will be on the field and an active participant in all
foundation efforts.
According to him, the best way
for any well meaning government to improve the health care of her citizens is
to maintain and promote primary care as well as health centers and upgrade the
hospital systems to international standards for optimum care.
“Any patient that DAPAF-Nigeria
cannot take care of locally, will be transported to
DAPAF-USA in Atlanta for care in
the USA, he stated.
He therefore urged all
individuals who have excelled in their chosen professions to support DAPAF in
giving back to humanity both in Nigeria and the USA.
“Donate your expertise, time,
materials and funds. All are tax deductible in the USA and Nigeria as evidenced
by our Tax ID in the USA and Nigeria provided above. Neither government, nor
individuals can do it alone."Siddon Look" is not an option. Let us
stop complaining about Nigeria. Together, we can make Nigeria and our world, a
better place.”
While speaking at the event
the Consular General of Nigeria in Atlanta, Ambassador Geoffrey Taneilabe
commended Dr Adeduntan for the gesture, urging all to support the foundation,
which he said will go a long way in providing the needed assistance to all less
privileged individuals both in Nigeria and the United States of America.The
launching which took place at Dorothy C. Benson Center, 6500 Vernon Woods
Drive, Sandy Springs, G.A 30328 also had in attendance other eminent
personalities from all walks of life who have distinguished themselves in their
various professions.
Also speaking, the wife of the
Founder and Initiator of
DAPAF, Mrs Simbiat Adeduntan
equally commended Dr. Adeduntan and also urged everybody present at the event
to support the foundation in whatever way they can.
“Together we can save Nigeria
from the precipice and the gathering clouds. Nobody or government can do it
alone. No matter how long we stay in USA, Britain, France, Italy, etc,
naturalized or not; we will always remain foreigners and Nigerians. Our
Motherland remains forever Nigeria”.
Notable eminent personalities in
attendance at the launching were Ambassador & Mrs Geoffrey Teneilabe,
Consular General of Nigeria in Atlanta, Mr. Ruphus.Oladapo, Civil.Engineer,
Dr.Macham, President Hausa and Plateau group of Nigerians in the USA, Mr. Niki
Adeseye, Computer analyst, Professor Kasim Lekan Ali, Head of Business
Administration
Clarke Atlanta University.
Atlanta, Isiaka Lawal, Business man, Ms Hariet Obiefule, Nurse,
Professor,Olugbenga Olatidoye, Professor of Architecture Clarke Atlanta
University.Atlanta, Mr. J Adesakin, Civil Engineer, Dr. Ola Akintade,
Physician, Dr. Julius Ajayi, Consultant Physician, Mr. Adedamola G. Afonja,
Scientist at Emory University, Atlanta, Mr Tunde Nuga, Civil Engineer, Mr .Femi
Akindele, Civil Engineer, Mr Emmanuel Opanuga, Civil Engineer, Mr. Omotayo
Idowu, Civil Engineer, Mr. Emmanuel Olaleye, Civil Engineer, Dr. Mathew
Akintade, Director Trinity Dialysis Center, Atlanta, Chief &Mrs Sasona,
Prosthetist, Mr .Segun Kenny, Civil.Engineer, Bosede Ajayi, Nurse Practitioner,
Mr. Anthony Ogbe, Deputy Consul General, Nigeria Mission, Atlanta, Celine Akoh,
Pharmacist, Dr. Eugenia George (PHD),School Administrator and Immediate Past
President Nigeria Women Organization (NWAG), Mr. John Baiyewu, Civil Engineer,
Mrs Baiyewu, Nurse, Mrs. Victoria Abbatutu, Nurse, Dr. Ernest Coker, Consultant
Physician.
Others include Mrs Tony Anukan,
Nurse, Mr & Mrs Olori, Civil Engineer, Mr & Mrs Bernard J. Sopko,
Retirees, Mr & Mrs Adefi, Retirees, Dr & Mrs Akiniyi, PASTOR, Mrs.
Omotolani Osikoya, NURSE, Dr & Mrs Isaac Elegbe, Microbiologist, Barrister,
Rilwan Adeduntan, Attorney At Law, Assistant District Attorney, Boston,
Massachusettes, Dr. Ganiyat Adeduntan, Doctor of Nursing Practice, MASS General
Hospital, Boston Massachusettes, Mr. Banji Oladeji, Electrical Engineer, Mrs
Margaret Binitie, Nurse, Dr & Mrs Fariyike, Consultant Nephrologists, Dr
& Mrs Emmanuel Shoyola, Consultant Obstetrician/Gynecologist, Dr.Jonathan
Nwiloh, Consultant Cardio-thoracic Surgeon, Atlanta, Mr and Mrs Fatai
Oyejobi.-Electronic/Electrical Engineer, Mr Matthew Adegbite (CPA), Accountant,
Mr. Sunday Adekeye.(CPA) Accountant.and others too numerous to mention.
The Nigeria chapter of the
Foundation -DAPAF-Nigeria will be launched very soon in Ibadan.
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