NNPC, Foundation to boost healthcare access with medical equipment donation

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd. (NNPCL) has partnered with the Benjamin Olowojebutu Foundation (BOF) to improve healthcare infrastructure and expand access to quality medical care across Nigeria.

The donated equipment includes a dental chair, theatre light, autoclave, electric suction, surgical gloves, gowns, blood pressure monitors, and glucose monitoring devices, among others.

During the handover of medical equipment to the foundation in Lagos on Monday, Oluwaseyi Omotowa, Chief Upstream Investment Officer at NNPCL, emphasized the significance of the initiative.

He noted that the donation would enhance the quality of care provided by the Benjamin Olowojebutu Foundation (BOF) and positively impact countless individuals and their families.

Omotowa, who was represented by Mrs. Bunmi Lawson, Deputy Manager, External Affairs, NNPC Upstream Investment Management Services (NUIMS), reiterated NNPCL’s commitment to supporting healthcare initiatives that improve access to quality medical services.

“This joint initiative demonstrates our commitment to giving back to our community and including the lives of individuals.

“Healthcare is a fundamental pillar of societal development, and Benjamin Olowojebutu Foundation has been at the forefront, providing essential medical services to those in need, especially women.

“By equipping the foundation with state-of-the-art medical equipment, we aim to support their mission and help bridge the gap in access to quality healthcare services,” he said.

According to Omotowa, NNPC believes in the power of cooperation and positive impact that can be achieved when industry and communities collaborate for a shared purpose.

“This donation made possible through the collaboration of our partner, Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo), is a testament to our dedication to corporate social responsibility and commitment of NNPC Limited to enhancing healthcare delivery in Nigeria.”

He emphasised that the initiative aligns with NNPC’s broader objective of fostering sustainable development and empowering communities across the nation.

“We understand the challenges faced by healthcare providers, and through this contribution, we hope to alleviate some of these burdens and enable healthcare professionals to deliver even more efficient and effective care,” he said.

Omotowa urged the foundation to continue its outstanding work, keep the equipment in good condition, saying “together we can create a brighter, healthier future for all Nigerians.”

Benjamin Olowojebutu, Founder of BOF, expressed gratitude for the donation, recalling that his personal experience of medical neglect in 2016 inspired him to establish the foundation in 2018.

“In 2016, I had an accident on my way from work and was taken to a high-brow hospital for care. For hours, I was left there without any medical attention.

“It dawned on me that if, as a medical doctor, I could be neglected for several hours without treatment, what would be the fate of other Nigerians?

“This fueled me to start the Benjamin Olowojebutu Foundation in 2018, to ensure access to healthcare for Nigerians and Africans,” he said.

Since its establishment, Olowojebutu said BOF has performed over 12,500 free surgeries across 18 states, including procedures such as surgical excisions of lipomas, breast lumps, fibroids, and hernia repairs.

He commended NNPC/SNEPCo for donating medical equipment to support the foundation’s work, describing it as a testament to BOF’s impact across Africa and a significant gesture to save lives, especially among women.