TAIWO ADELU
The charity train of the Greater Tomorrow Children’s Fund (GTCF) hits Abuja this Friday for a two-day celebration with kids of the Internally Displaced Persons Camp, with the organisation of a football tournament and free oral health screening.
After the successes attained at its last two events in Jos, Plateau State and Ogume in Delta State, where kids were treated to a once in a lifetime experience and still savoring, the foundation run by AFCON 1984 silver medal winner, Paul Okoku, has concluded preparations for the mother of all events, sanctioned by both National Assembly Committees on Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).
Since the GTCF was launched in Abuja in 2014, it has recorded some successes and this weekend will not be different as the body will draw a stellar cast of dignitaries in politics, business and sports sectors to an end of the year rendezvous on the practice pitch of the Abuja National Stadium.
Speaking on the programme, Okoku said the oral health screening will be conducted by a team of specialist doctors led by Dr. Seidu Bello, who is partnering GTCF to improve the quality of health for Internally Displaced Persons.
According to Okoku, “these children are victims of the Boko Haram, the terrorist organization in the North-East of Nigeria. Dr. Bello is an oral surgeon based in Abuja. I recall that during the launch of GTCF, after his video presentation of the medical challenges faced by downtrodden, the late Stephen Keshi turned to Dr. Bello and said, “God bless you for providing free surgery to the less privileged in our society.”
Okoku said that sports wears for the tournament were donated by three ex-internationals, Godwin Odiye, Chigozie Offor, Attorney and Dr. Femi Olukanni, adding that Odiye is one of the board members, alongside Gladys Dark.
He thanked the House Committee on Internally Displaced Persons and Refugees, chaired by Hon. Muhammed Sani Zorro and Hon. Abbass Tajudeen for supporting the event.
Okoku also expressed his gratitude to the team of volunteers who were on ground to make this humanitarian event a reality, Barrister Hammed Wasiu Adeyemi, Khalifa Labaran Mohammed, protocol officer, National House of Assembly, Mrs. Grace Jalekun, a retired school administrator and Barrister David Fatunmbi.
Okoku noted that former Eagles stars, comprising Henry Nwosu, Tijani Babangida, Etim Esin, Dahiru Sadi, Edema Fuludu, Baba Otu Mohammed, Yisa Shofoluwe, Taju Disu, and veteran Nollywood movie actor, Jide Alabi, will be available to give pet talks to the kids.
The final of the football tournament is on Saturday, 3 December.