Nigeria Football international, Obafemi Martins on Thursday donated health equipment worth several millions of naira to the Lagos State Government, saying it was part of his philanthropic gestures to give back to the society.

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (4th left); Nigeria International, Obafemi Martins (3rd left); his Manager/Personal Assistant, Mr. Ayodeji Olusesan (2nd left); Chairman, Wharf Landing Fee Collecting Authority, Mr. Joe Igbokwe (left); Special Adviser to the Governor on Sports, Mr. Deji Tinubu (middle); Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris (4th right); Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Sports, Mr. Adeboye Anthony Adeyinka (3rd right); Chief Medical Director, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Prof. Adewale Oke (2nd right) and Director, Health Care Planning, Research & Statistics, Ministry of Health, Dr. Taiwo Olufemi (right) during the donation of health equipment by the Obafemi Martins Foundation at Lagos House, Ikeja, on Thursday.

Among the equipment donated by Martins, through his foundation, Obafemi Martins Foundation (OMF), include 200 Wheel Chairs, 3,240 Crutches, 100 Baby Courts, 60 Hospital Beds, 13 Electric Wheel Chairs and 3200 Blind Sticks.

Presenting the equipment to the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode at a short ceremony held at Lagos House in Ikeja, Martins, who currently plies his trade with Shanghai Greenland Shenhua F.C in China, said the mission of his Foundation is to assist members of the community who are in need as a result of being handicapped.

“I am grateful to announce that the Foundation is currently prepared to donate a lot of wheel chairs, electronic wheel chairs, clutches and other equipment. I am confident that this contribution will impact lives in our communities. Through service to our community, we can all make a difference,” Martins said.

He, however, said that the Foundation would not only stop at the donation, adding that there would be more interventions in the nearest future.

Receiving the equipment on behalf of the State Government, Governor Ambode commended Martins for the gesture, saying that it was not only a worthy and noble act of selfless service, but a clear demonstration of his commitment to Nigeria and most especially Lagos State.

“We are all delighted to welcome Obafemi Martins back home. As you are aware, he is a true born Lagosian and through his Foundation, he has deemed it necessary to extend selfless service back to his community.

“We are, on behalf of Lagosians, saying a big thank you to you. Apart from the fact that you have become an excellent ambassador for Lagos, you’ve done extremely very well in your chosen career. You’ve also deemed it fit that it’s time to pay back to humanity.

Apart from the fact that these are things that we would use in our hospitals, there are also things that we are going to use for people living with disabilities.

“This actually complements the efforts of the government to support our less privileged brothers and sisters. You have shown yourself to be a true role model on and off the pitch and Lagos State is very proud to associate with you.

Once again, I commend you for your philanthropic gesture and wish you more successes in your endeavours,” the Governor said.

Governor Ambode, who later presented a letter of commendation personally signed by him to Martins, also seized the occasion to encourage other well-meaning Nigerians and organisations that have the opportunity to contribute back to the community to emulate such gesture.