Many shed tears of joy as Dr. George-Kelly D. Alabo, FNIQS reached out to several patients in Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, and University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital who could not meet their financial obligations after receiving medical services, as part of activities marking his birthday.
The Rivers State Commissioner for Works made the humanitarian gesture on Friday 23 December, 2022 through Opu-Alabo Foundation, a charity organisation founded and led by him. Opu-Alabo Foundation has been giving financial and technical assistance to widows and less privilege people in the society over the years, irrespective of their tribe and religion.
Today’s outreach kick-started with a speech by the Honourable Commissioner at his residence. He addressed management, members, and volunteers of the foundation before leaving for his official duty for the day.
“By this time last year, we reached out to hundreds of families living at the waterfront in Diobu, Port Harcourt, widows drawn from the 23 LGA were also supported. We have been doing this and we will continue to support the less privilege amongst us.
“The cardinal motive of Opu-Alabo Foundation is to alleviate the plight of the needy. Over 300 widows drawn from the 23 LGAs of Rivers State are on monthly allowance from us, we will increase the number by next year.
“This year we decided to do something slightly different to mark my birthday. We have decided to visit hospitals to pick the medical bills of indigent patients. Instead of spending so much money to wine and dine, let us go to the hospitals and save some lives to the glory of God Almighty. We are going to clear medical bills worth ten million naira today,” he said.
The wife of the Commissioner, Dr. Mrs. Inkoba George-Kelly Alabo, FCA led members of the foundation to Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, and University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital. The patients were visited and a message of hope was delivered to them.
Dr. Mrs. George-Kelly had just one message for the patients which is: “We are from Opu-Alabo Foundation, led by Dr. George-Kelly, the Commissioner for Works in Rivers State who is marking his birthday today, we are here to pick your bill so that you can go home and celebrate Christmas with your family, friends, and loved ones. We love you.”
The Chief Medical Director of RSUTH, Dr. Friday E. Aaron who recieved members of Opu-Alabo Foundation thanked the charity organisation for their kind gesture. The CMD said Opu-Alabo Foundation is now an official partner of Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, and he is looking forward to working with them to help humanity.
Similarly, Prof. Lucky Onotai, the Chairman Medical Advisory Committee in University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, who represented the Chief Medical Director, Prof. Henry Ugboma in receiving members of the foundation said, UPTH’s door is opened for Opu-Alabo Foundation to come in anytime and touch more lives as much as it can.
Other notable members of Opu-Alabo Foundation who accompanied the wife of its Leader to these hospitals are: Hon. Enemi Alabo George, member representing Asari-Toru Constituency 2 in Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon.Tekenari Granville Wellington, member representing Asari-Toru Constituency 1 in Rivers State House of Assembly, Dr. Robinson Ebbi, Chairman, Nigerian Medical Association, Rivers State Branch, Dr. Robinson Tombari Sibe, CEO/Lead Forensic Examiner, Digital Footprints Nig. Limited, and member of Forbes Tech Council, et al.
