AT a time when many Nigerians are complaining about the lack of basic amenities and blaming the government for one problem or the other, some people are taking bold steps to ensure that they leave their environment better than they met it, with or without government's input. Though the number of grumblers outnumbers those taking the right initiative, the trend would soon change, if the words of Reverend Tope Popoola, Coordinator, Donate-A-Pillow Campaign, is anything to go by.On Tuesday, the Donate-A-Pillow Campaign made a donation of 800 pillows to the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan. According to Reverend Popoola during the presentation of the pillows to the Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Professor Temitope Alonge, his decision was informed by his experience as a patient at the hospital. This, he said, led to his resolve to contribute his quota to the uplift of public hospitals across the nation.He said, "I was having a health challenge sometime ago, and had to undergo some tests at the UCH, Ibadan. The tests required my having to stay in the hospital for two nights.Though the bed I was given was okay, being a pillow lover, I wasn't satisfied with the quality of the pillow I was given. I was worried because I am aware that being able to sleep well aids recovering from ill health. At that very point, I had an inner witness that rather than just complain about the situation, I should do something about it. With that came the decision to get some good pillows to, not just the UCH, but as many public hospitals in the country as possible.'He declared that his intention was to donate 10,000 pillows nationwide, adding that he had already entered into partnership with Vitafoam Plc and some other individuals who had expressed their support for his dream.He noted that Nigerians must have a change of mindset as regards their expectations from government towards the development of infrastructure. He urged well meaning Nigerians to also do more towards giving whatever they had to the development of their immediate environment, adding that the government could not provide everything. He urged the hospital to make good use of his widow's mite.In the same vein, the Comfort Segment Manager, Vitafoam, Mr Wole Aguda, said that his company was committed to supporting worthy causes such as the Donate-A-Pillow Campaign, adding that they were ready to collaborate with any individual or organisation in promoting their social responsibilities to the community.Also speaking, the Presiding Pastor of Word Communication Ministries, Apostle Sunday Popoola, said that all hands must be on deck to move the nation forward urging wealthy Nigerians to always give back to the society."We have had a country; it's time to build a nation. Our government can do better with all the endowments that the nation is blessed with. Adequate funding is necessary to improve the state of our hospitals. By doing this, the Nigeria of our dreams would come. The donation of pillows is only the beginning and it will be taken round the country.'He prayed that God would continue to make the endeavours of the Chief Medical Director and his staff successful, adding that he had a team that was competent and dedicated.Prof. Temitope Alonge, in his remarks, thanked Reverend Popoola for the gesture, stressing that the gesture proved that there was hope for Nigeria.He reiterated the commitment of the leadership of the UCH to making quality health services available to Nigerians despite the deplorable state of some of its facilities. He also spoke of the efforts of the management towards making the teaching hospital the best, not just in Nigeria but also in the West African sub-region.Other dignitaries at the ceremony included Reverend (Mrs) Tomi Popoola, Pastors Frank Madojemu of the Bridge Network, Elekima Ekine of CCIC, Jibola Kolade lof The Business Church and the director of administration (UCH), Mrs Funke Adepoju, among others.
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