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First Lady of Lagos State, Mrs. Abimbola Fashola (2nd R), at the launching of the Help for the Helpless Foundation.



First Lady of Lagos State, Mrs. Abimbola Fashola (L), presenting a gift to a representative at the launching of the Help for the Helpless Foundation.

Speeches

Nov 4, 2007 - Launch Of The Help For The Helpless Foundation

It gives me great delight and joy to be part of the formal launch of the Help for the Helpless Foundation, a Non-Governmental Organisation which I am informed, has the sole aim of rendering assistance to accident victims on our High ways.

 

There is no gainsaying the fact that this is one initiative that is well thought out and must be commended and supported by every Nigerian.

 

Over the years, we have continued to be faced with very disturbing statistics of the number of lives that are lost to accidents on our highways. This is in spite of the various initiatives such as the establishment of the Federal Road Safety Commission among others which have been developed with a view to ensuring safety on our roads.

 

While several factors including the bad state of our roads among others have been identified as major cause of road accidents, it is also a fact that a lot of precious lives could have been saved if accident victims are able to receive prompt medical attention immediately an accident occurs. The challenge therefore remains getting to the spot of an accident immediately it occurs, getting the victims to the nearest medical facility as soon as possible and ensuring that such victims receives prompt and unconditional medical attention.

 

This is the goal which the Lagos State Government aims to achieve with the establishment of the Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS) and the Lagos State Emergency Services (LASEMS) as well as the policy of free treatment for accident victims for the first 24 hours.

 

Given the fact that government efforts alone may not be enough to achieve the desired result there is need for individuals and corporate organisations to develop initiatives that will complement what is already being done by the government. It is on this premise that I want to commend the Trustees of the Help for the Helpless Foundation for coming up with this very laudable initiative which I am informed commenced on April 2nd 2007 covering the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

 

Let me use this opportunity to enjoin good spirited individuals and corporate organisations to join hands with the Foundation to ensure that no accident victims on our highways dies as a result of lack of timely and adequate medical attention. We travel on our highways, we never can tell who will be in need of this service tomorrow.

 

Once again, I congratulate the Trustees on this occasion of the successful launch of the Help for the Helpless Foundation. I pray that God almighty will reward your selfless service to humanity through this initiatve.

 

I thank you for kind attention.

 

God bless you all.

 

Her Excellency
Mrs. Abimbola Fashola
First Lady of Lagos State