By Ayodele Abere
It was jubilation on Friday, 29 December, 2023 for the beneficiaries of Babatunde Femi Owolabi Heart Foundation annual programme where food items, clothing materials and cash worth millions of naira were presented to them.
The event held at the Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, residence of the Atlanta Georgia, US-based founder of the Non-governmental and Non-profit organization, Chief Tope Owolabi, attracted about one hundred beneficiaries.
Owolabi, who is a chieftancy title holder in his home country, Igbole-Ekiti, in Ido/Osi Local Government Area of Ekiti State, Nigeria, said he is mostly concerned with the people’s wellbeing and for over the years has empowered members of the society using his personal resources.
Addressing the gathering, the notable philanthropist encouraged the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the items given to them including the cash, adding that as they were being considered for the opportunity during this yuletide, they too should also remember some other people through their giving no matter how small, as they may not necessarily need what was given to them by the Foundation, but explained that they could add to whatever gift they have got and give to someone else.
The NGO which was established in 2012 has the mission of building a community where individuals live a healthier and more productive life, a life free of cardiovascular disease which according to the Founder, is preventable.
Owolabi’s passion to help the poor and the sick out from the iron cage of deadly but preventable disease such as cardiovascular disease, prompted him to establish Babatunde Femi Owolabi Heart Foundation to discover early stage of disease and to treat patients that have heart-related diseases in Nigeria.
According to him, “our mission is to prevent the disease at the early stage before it becomes a terminal disease.
“To build a community where we are all educated about heart diseases and it implications on the social economic development of our community.
“To be a world leader in preventing cardiovascular diseases, including providing education, healthy living and research.
“To be a centre of excellence in preventing cardiovascular diseases and related conditions.
Also, in keeping to the vision of leading the fight against heart diseases through heart health education, health promotion, early detection, prompt and effective management, Chief Owolabi maintained that the goal is to motivate the community when it comes to cardiovascular diseases, educate people in the community on how to eat healthier foods and live healthier lives through awareness creation and health promotion. Noting that good health is “habit forming” especially, prevention and treatment of heart diseases, promotion and support of research on cardiovascular diseases as well as public enlightenment and health education.
Appreciating the gesture on behalf of all the beneficiaries, Mrs Olowolayemo Oyenike, Mr. Temitope Ojo, Miss Sanusi Fatimat and Mrs Abubakri Haisat prayed for the benefactor, Chief Tope Owolabi who they said God has lifted already and that he will never come down again but continue to go higher.
The beneficiaries who noted that Chief Owolabi has been carrying out the programme for a very long time stated that such gesture is uncommon in the State, saying it is usually devoid of any form of discrimination. They all urged him to keep doing it and that God will continue to increase him as he keeps helping and supporting the masses.
A cleric, Pastor Kayode Ojo, charged everyone in attendance to move closer to God, Who he said has all it takes to meet with their needs and prayed God to replenish Chief Owolabi’s pocket as he has always been a such of help to the masses.
