Lucky Obukohwo ReportingÂ
For patients suffering from cataract in Edo State, help is on the way as the Oloi Evbagaru Erediauwa Foundation (OLEEF) has concluded plans to carry out free operation in Benin before the end of the year.
As a mark of support, the founder of Africa Cataract Eye Foundation, Dr. Gabriel Okorodudu promised to support the foundation with ten free cataract surgeries, when the initiative comes up later in the year.
Besides the free eye operation, the foundation is also giving out free scholarships to ten students from the three senatorial districts of Edo State for the 2023/2024 academic session, according to a member of the Board of Trustees, Deacon Sylvester Ebhodaghe.
OLEEF, a non-profit organization was established in memory of Oloi Evbagaru Janet Erediauwa, the deceased wife of His Royal Majesty, Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba Erediauwa who joined her ancestors in 2016.
Going down memory lane, the Warri, Delta State based eye surgeon who spoke via a recorded message during the recent launch of the foundation, which is in memory of Oloi (Queen) Erediauwa disclosed with fond memories his encounter with the Benin queen when she visited his clinic for a review, years back.
He recalled that when she came, the palace guards who accompanied her first got in and insisted that he clear the place of all clients in line with tradition, adding that he understood and quickly went out and explained to the staff.
The ophthalmologist said that he had to tell the few patients that were at the clinic on that day, that the Queen was coming in for treatment and as such, they would have to pave way.
Dr. Okorodudu said: “The good thing was that the majority of the clients who were there were of Benin extraction and were kind enough to let us marshall them into a room to let us attend to her. With a lot of respect, everybody understood that that was what we had to do.
“The queen came in and was very pleasant. She was warm; she was nice. I’ll always remember her gentleness and generosity.”
He added: I am going forward. Hopefully, if they do request, we’ll be glad to continue to give this service (free eye surgeries) into the future.”
Getting emotional, he said that considering how Oloi Evbagaru treated him and his staff nicely and politely on that memorable day, everytime she looked at her daughter, Princess Ebhodaghe, he “can almost see her in her daughter.”
He added: “When I ran across her a couple of weeks ago in Warri, Delta State, the queen’s memories just flashed back and I was very quickly impressed. If this is what you are doing for her, I’ll be glad to support.”
The Queen of Hearts, Oloi Evbagaru Erediauwa may be gone for seven years now, but memories of her humility, gentleness and generosity have not faded; they still linger.