Igbo buru otu saves lives, tests members on blood pressure, sugar level

Igbo buru otu Social Club of Nigeria established to cater and empower members, is an association of Igbo speaking people resident in Nigeria and in the Diaspora. During the group’s monthly meeting in September, they gathered a team of doctors to carry out general test on their members, especially on blood pressure and sugar level; SUCCESS DAMIAN reports.

Essentially conceptualized to assist their members, Igbo buru otu, has raised the bar, redefining the meaning of a social club. It has not only empowered members, it has also taken care of orphanages and widows. The leadership has also acquired more than 70 plots of land for interested members at give away rates.

The last has not been heard, recently, the group gathered a team of doctors to carry out general medical tests on their members. 

High Chief Chika C. Nwokedi, Okpoko 1 of Obodoukwu, Nwata Ya Na Chiyadinamma 1 of Ikwuano, the Founder and President General of the club told the media that he assembled the doctors who will conduct medical tests because many people die due to avoidable diseases. He also averred that he was planning to enter into collaboration with some hospitals that will provide medical services to members who cannot afford treatments of any ailment discovered, adding that bills from such services will be taken care of by the club.

He said “It is better to attend to people’s needs when they are alive rather than attending to them when they are dead. Many people stay one year, two years without medical checkup, and that is why we are bringing the doctors to carry out a general test on our members. The test is a general test and may cost up to N4000 for each person, but nobody will pay one naira and you know our number.”

Pastor Mrs. Chika Nwokedi, Nwachinemere ogo 1 of Ikwuano, Obodoukwu speaking on how she combines the activities of Igbo buru otu and her ministry, explained that being a minster of God should not stop one from associating with his people. She said “Most times people would tell you don’t attend meetings, anything outside church, but one thing I found out is with Igbo buru otu, we have pastors forum, which I am secretary to it, now the pastors forum is impacting them the word of God, if they are not doing something right we tell them, we do have night vigil that we invite both outside ministers to come and join us. Now if they don’t understand the will of God concerning their lives, remember most of them don’t go to church but they attend night vigils, and through the word of God they are hearing, we are changing lives.”

“The members have nothing to lose, because if you have a problem you will just dial the Chairman’s number, tell him  the police is holding my friends, may be, at Ore, the chairman will just call the AIG in charge of Ore and tell him see, see, the person will be released, so there is so many  things to gain, they have nothing to lose,”

Mr Onyebuchi Emmanuel Adindu, the Vice President of Ndigbo Buru Otu, stated that “Health is wealth; that is why we see it as a very good thing to check the health status of our members, we also do charity work, that is basically why we form this club. We are here to help ourselves. In terms of policing, the police have been our friend, we change their tyres, change their engines. Next month we are going to support the widows, we keep doing that, we give you food items, cash to raise your business; we have cooperative here, if you want to borrow money, you come here with no interest.”

Navy Commodore Augustin Anayochukwu Nwokedi, said “I identify myself with Igbo buru otu two years ago, I am a member, and it is a socio cultural organization that has to do with the well-being and welfare of all Igbo speaking persons across the state, across the nation, and outside the nation Nigeria. 

“Igbo buru out implies that we want Ndigbo to be one, our main focus area and specialization is helping the Nigerian police, if you look at some stations within us here: Area M, Ikotu Police Station, Idimu, we have refurbished their vehicle, and it costs us lots and lots of money, even to the extent of meeting with the IG, the inspector General of police, is our friend, and we have made the Nigeria police our reference point. We know if we get it right with Nigerian police, the society will be a better place to be.”

Mrs Agbalaha Ezinwanne, a nurse midwife who headed the medical team said, “We are here to carry out test for the club members. We found out that a lot of them don’t even know their health status. In the cause of doing these tests we have discovered that a lot of them are hypertensive and diabetic. With these tests we let them know their health status, then tell them what to do, it is not all about drugs. 

“Like many of them their cholesterol level is very high, we are talking of the bad cholesterol not the good one, by the time we give them health education, some of them take a lot of alcohol, we tell you to reduce the quantity of alcohol you take, the quality of food also, they should eat fruits and vegetables. When you do all these, when you give them medication, it will work,” Ezinwznne stated.