Babcock University has provided free medical and legal services to residents of Ilishan-Remo in Ogun State as part of activities marking its 67th Founders’ Day and 26th anniversary.
The university organised the outreach through its teaching hospital and Legal Services Department, offering residents access to healthcare and legal advice at no cost.
The medical outreach, coordinated by the Babcock University Teaching Hospital medical team, provided specialist consultations, eye examinations and glasses, dental care, blood pressure and blood sugar checks, medications, health education, counselling and spiritual care.
The programme also included HIV screening, health talks and treatment, as well as minor and major surgical procedures.
No fewer than 300 residents participated in the medical outreach, with beneficiaries expressing appreciation for the support provided by the university.
One of the beneficiaries, Mrs Oshitola Kujirat, said she received medication for malaria and pain relief for a leg condition.
“I got malaria medication and pain relief for my leg pain. I thank Babcock because I will not pay money for the medications,” she said.
Other beneficiaries, including Mrs Bikarat Sokoni and Mrs Oluwayemi Sisadidi, also expressed appreciation for the impact of the programme.
The university also provided free legal consultations to residents through its Legal Services Department.
The legal outreach addressed a range of issues, including landlord and tenancy disputes, land-related matters, divorce proceedings, child custody, child maintenance, dissolution of marriages and estate property sharing.
The Director of Legal Services, Dr Joseph Agada, said several residents received advice on cases affecting their personal and family lives, while some matters would receive further pro bono attention from the university.
“A good number of them brought cases that included landlord and tenancy matters, land-related disputes, divorce proceedings, custody issues, child maintenance, and estate matters. We advised them, and they were satisfied,” Agada said.
He said some of the cases would be pursued beyond the outreach, adding that the initiative was important in helping members of the host community understand their rights and act within the law.
“It’s a worthy programme that should be maintained and sustained because of its community impact, especially in helping people to know their rights and act within the ambit of the law,” he said.
The university said the outreach formed part of its commitment to strengthening its relationship with Ilishan-Remo, its host community, through initiatives focused on healthcare, access to justice and community empowerment.
Babcock President and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Afolarin Ojewole, said the Founders’ Day celebration was also an opportunity for the institution to reaffirm its commitment to serving humanity.
“Our Founders’ Day is not only a celebration of heritage but also a reaffirmation of our mission to serve humanity,” Ojewole said.
He added that the medical and legal outreaches reflected the university’s commitment to ensuring that healthcare, justice and dignity were accessible to members of the community.
The university said it would continue to strengthen its engagement with its host community and develop initiatives aimed at creating sustainable social impact beyond the campus.
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