Mary Nnah
Leading entrepreneur, philanthropist, and Chairman of the O.B. Lulu-Briggs Foundation, Dr Seinye O.B. Lulu-Briggs was recently conferred with a chieftaincy title for her commitment to providing free quality healthcare to the people of Ekpeye Kingdom, Ahoada East, Rivers State, by His Imperial Majesty, Eze Kelvin Ngozi Anugwo, PhD, Eze Ekpeye Logbo 111.
Anugwo and his council of chiefs conferred Dr Lulu-Briggs with the title of ‘Ununwe Gwoduma Emene Ekpeye 1 of Ekpeyeland’ (The Chief that heals Ekpeye people) at his palace shortly before the official opening ceremony of the O.B. Lulu-Briggs Foundation’s 39th Free Medical Mission at the Model Primary Health Centre in Ahoada Town.
The medical missions, during which the Foundation provides free medical treatment, is one of the Foundation’s flagship programmes through which it has reached 144,712 people in Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River and Rivers states.
The title, the latest honour for the philanthropist, attests to her significant contributions to health care and socio-economic developments in Nigeria. The 39th Free Medical Mission began formally on Monday, April 8, and will continue until April 12.
Free services being offered at the five-day medical camp include counselling/health education, outpatient consultations, general surgeries, paediatric care (including deworming), dental care, vision care (including glasses and surgery), malaria testing & treatment, HIV/AIDs screening, physiotherapy, and an onsite pharmacy and laboratory. Within the first two days, 1,656 patients, comprising men, women, and children, received free treatment and medication.
Among them were 105 people who required surgeries. Ten major surgeries had already been performed on Sunday, April 7, before the Mission formally opened, underscoring its reach and impact. This is not the first time the Foundation has held a Free Medical Mission in Ahoada. One was held there from November 5 to 9, 2007, during which 4,502 people were treated free of charge.
Commenting through one of his chiefs, Eze Anugwo said that Dr Lulu-Briggs bagged the honour because of her “selfless and tireless service to the progress of Ekpeye land and, particularly, your dedication and commitment to providing social services to Ekpeye people.”
He added, “The Eze Ekpeye Logbo in-council also recognises the enviable position you have today ascended to in the socio-political leadership in the state and with immense delight your unalloyed loyalty, unsurpassed love and unflinching support to the cause of the Ekpeye people.” Responding, Dr Lulu-Briggs reiterated her commitment to supporting the underserved across Rivers State and Nigeria, assuring that she will not rest on her oars. She also thanked the Eze Ekpeye Logbo in-council for the honour. The Rivers State Commissioner for Health, Honourable Adaeze Chidinma Oreh, Ahoada East Local Government Area Chairman, Hon. Ben Eke, and his executives and several other eminent citizens graced the Mission’s opening ceremony.–
