Skal International, an international association of travel and tourism professionals established in 1934 and with a presence in over 87 countries worldwide, on Friday engaged two local governments in Ibadan to showcase community social responsibility.
The Ibadan club, one of the four clubs of the international body in Nigeria, visited government health centres in Ibadan South East Local Government and Ibadan Southwest Local Government, respectively, to donate materials needed to support the health services for the masses and the people of Oyo State.
Skal International donated customised bed sheets, pillowcases, and fibre pillows to the Ibadan South East Local Government Health Authority, Health Centre Olorunsogo Molete, and Awodife Primary Health Centre on Bolumole Ring Road, Ibadan.
Speaking during the presentation, Dr. Dagunduro Olatokunbo, president of the Ibadan Club, stated that community service is one of the objectives of the international association.
He said the global body, which is affiliated with the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), derives pleasure in doing charity and giving to the needy. Also speaking at the presentation of relief materials is the Vice President of the Club, Mr. Babatunde Babalola, who stated that the club has come together to establish its presence in Ibadan. Its environs have members from Ibadan, Ile-Ife, Abeokuta, and Ado Ekiti. He emphasised that the exercise is executed to create awareness of the club and encourage prospective members to activate and get involved.
He said Nigeria has 4 clubs in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt and Ibadan.
The President, Dr Dagunduro, said membership is open to people in the hospitality business, such as hoteliers, Travel Consultants, Tour Operators, Lounge Operators, Travel & Tourism Journalists, Restaurants Owners, Eateries, Art & Craft Designers, Car Dealers, Shuttles, Boat Cruise Operators, Night Club Owners and any other Tourism related business. He said the watchword is doing business among friends.
In their respective responses the Matron/ Health Officer in Charge Mrs. Ayomi Folakemi commended the initiative and appreciated the kind gesture of the association, she stated that the materials donated were timely in the scale of preference of the needs of the Hospital. She said if other groups or professional bodies can emulate the benevolence and innovation of SKAL INTERNATIONAL CLUB IBADAN, our health centres will be better equipped to serve the public.
In the same vein, the health officer in charge of Awodife Primary Health Centre, Bolumole, Mrs. Adeyinka Bolanle, thanked the club officials and stated that the donation is very appropriate and will go a long way in ensuring a conducive environment at the hospital. Also in the entourage of the Skal Club Ibadan team is the Membership and Welfare Officer, Mrs. Ogunkeyede Olaide.
On the other hand, the management team of the health centres also includes Mr. Olawuyi Ayodeji, the Medical Record Officer, Mrs. Bose Adedipe, the Assistant Health Officer, and Mrs. Obisesan Folakemi, a nursing staff member, all from the Ibadan Southeast Local Government Health Authority.
Other officials present at the occasion included Mrs. Ejalonibu Rafiat, Assistant Health Officer; Mrs. Oluyemisi Okeola, Assistant Community Health Officer; Mrs. Badmus Sholaja, Nursing Staff; and Adeleke Omolara, Mrs. Akande Victoria, and Lawal Rafiat, all from the Ibadan Southwest Local Government Health Authority, Bolumole, Ibadan.
