By Rhoda Godwin, Yenagoa
Residents of Amarata community in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, benefited from a free medical outreach organised by the publisher and Editor-in-Chief of The Light Newspaper, Elder Ebi Ozegbe, as part of activities marking his 61st birthday celebration.
The outreach, which attracted residents from Amarata and surrounding communities, featured free blood sugar and blood pressure (BP) checks, alongside the distribution of essential medications to beneficiaries.
In addition to the health services, Elder Ozegbe empowered elderly women and widows with cash gifts, a gesture he described as his way of giving back to society and appreciating God’s faithfulness in his life.
Speaking during the event, the celebrant said his decision to celebrate by helping others was not driven by abundance, but by gratitude for God’s mercy and protection over the years.
“Today, by the special grace of God, I am 61. I am still strong and healthy. God has been so merciful to me,” he said. “As a way of giving back, I decided to support the elderly and widows in my little way, knowing it will make a difference in their lives.”
He noted that the prayers of the elderly and widows he had supported in previous years had contributed significantly to his well-being, especially during challenging moments.
Recounting a past incident, Ozegbe narrated how he narrowly escaped harm when his office was gutted by fire, attributing his safety to divine grace.
The publisher also expressed concern over the increasing rate of untimely deaths, stressing the importance of regular medical checkups. He explained that the outreach was aimed at encouraging people to monitor their health status and seek early medical intervention when necessary.
Beneficiaries of the outreach expressed gratitude for the initiative, describing it as timely and impactful. One of them, Miss Sarah Kokorifa, commended Ozegbe for providing free access to essential health checks.
“Some of us hardly find time or resources to check our blood pressure regularly. This opportunity means a lot to us,” she said, while praying for God’s continued blessings upon the celebrant.
The event, held at Delight Plaza Journalists Hangout on Punch Road, Amarata, drew the presence of newspaper publishers, journalists, friends, and well-wishers who came to celebrate with the media practitioner.
