Lagos Nigeria; June 1, 2016: Ikeja Electric, one of Nigeria’s biggest electricity distribution company, last Friday, visited children across selected hospitals located within its network to mark the 2016 Children’s Day.
The activity, which is in line with the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility programme,provided an opportunity foremployees of the company to donate toiletries, sanitary items and party packs to patients of the Children’s wards in the General Hospitals at Gbagada, Orile-Agege, Ikorodu and Isolo, as well as the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH, in Ikeja.
Employees of the power company brought smiles to the faces of visibly elated children, who did not hide their pleasant surprise, as they distributed several gift bags which contained story books and toys, among others.
Speaking on theactivity,Head Corporate Communications, Ikeja Electric, Felix Ofulue, explained that the choice to celebrate this year’s Children’s Dayin the hospitals was deliberate because it provided an opportunity to put smiles on the faces of the sick children.
In his words:“Naturally, a sick child will feel unhappy and uncomfortable to be missing out on the celebration, so our goal was to cheer them up and let them know that they are also very precious to us. I am certain that the love and care they experienced from our employees will also aid their fast and full recovery”.
“For a wider impact, we decided to visit the General Hospitals within our network and of course LASUTH. We do hope and pray that all of the children at will recover fully as soon as possible”he said.
Receiving the IE team at General Hospital, Gbagada,the Deputy Medical Director, Dr. Ajibola Keshinro, expressed delight at the gesture, noting that it was commendable that Ikeja Electric was reaching out to sick and recovering children.
“So many things are involved in a child’s recovery when ill. While there is the need for proper and adequate healthcare, there is also the power of upliftment which a child feels when a gesture like yours triggers joy, happiness and feelings of gladness in their hearts. It helps us a great deal. Today, you have partnered with us in a unique way and we are truly grateful”, he said.
An excited parent, Mrs.Bola Animashaun, also commended Ikeja Electric for taking out time to visit with the children. “Managing a sick child is not easy. We have been on admission here now for a few days and truly this was the last thing I expected today. I did not even remember that today was Children’s day. But see my son, at least he is smiling. God will bless you”,she said.
Ikeja Electric has over time built a reputation as being socially conscious. In April, the company gave out free books to children in primary schools within its network as it marked World Book Day, encouraging the reading of books from an early age.
Pictures from the event:
