₦airaland Forum

Ondo State governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, is living up to his administration's commitment to ensure an all-round development of the state.
Many have wondered if the massive infrastructural developments being witnessed in the sunshine state have not taken all the resources and attention of the governor to develop other sectors, particularly, the health sector.


It has, however, been observed that since the Akeredolu administration came on board, there has been a paradigm shift from the old order, giving rise to critical and indelible intervention in the health sector, with the sole aim of prioritizing the healthy living of the people of the state.

Yes, the Governor may now have a new prefix- Mr. Road and Infrastructure, as a result of the unprecedented number of roads he has constructed in less than three years in office, but they may as well add Dr. because of his commitment and intervention in the health sector.


THE FACTS

* Prior to his coming into office, the Mother and Child hospital were only two, which were concentrated in the Central senatorial district of the state, with one in Ondo town and the second in Akure, the state capital.
After careful appraisal of the situation by the State Executive Council, the Akeredolu administration decided to extend the mother and child hospital to other senatorial districts.
Today, there are two in the Northern Senatorial district in Ikare Akoko and Owo. The Southern Senatorial district also has three with one in Ore, one in Okitipupa and one in Igbokoda, bringing the number to seven.


* Medical personnel is very important in the efforts at providing qualitative health care to the people of the state. Till date, the Akeredolu administration has recruited 229 medical Personnel to various Health Institutions across the state. These are:
16 Consultants
5 Dental Officers
5 Dental Technologists
5 Dental Therapists
20 Medical Record Officers
16 Medical Lab. Scientists
50 Medical Officers
95 Nurses /Midwivies
5 Physiotherapists
12 Pharmacists.

* The Akeredolu administration has procured and distributed Multi-million naira medical equipment to Primary health facilities in the state. Some of the equipment include: 300 units of Children Ambu-bag, 60 units of Adult Ambu-bag, 300 Units of Baby weighing scale, 300 Units of Blood pressure apparatus, 300 Units of Stethoscope, 301 Units of Angle poise Examination light, 18 Units of Anti - Shock garment and 300 Units of Penguin suction device among several others. This has been done twice within two and half years. Governor Akeredolu described the equipment as necessary in order to improve the diagnostic and therapeutic capacity of the primary health care facilities and respond to the health needs of the people across the state.

* Governor Akeredolu secured and has distributed $5million Biomedical Equipment and consumables. The equipment were the ones secured by the Governor during his visit to the United State of America (USA) last year from MedShare, a U.S.-based non-profit organisation in Atlanta to strengthen the state's health sector.

* The Akeredolu administration met Zero accreditation at the University of Medical Science, Ondo. Today, the administration has facilitated the accreditation of 15 Courses at the University.


* The Akeredolu administration signed into Law, the Bill establishing the University of Medical Science Teaching Hospital.

* One other intervention embarked upon by Governor Akeredolu in the health sector is the upgrade of health facilities in the state to provide quality services for children who are below age five and pregnant women.

* Ceding of the School of Nursing and Midwifery to Ondo State University of Medical Sciences, Ondo, thereby upgrading it into a degree awarding institution.

* The Akeredolu administration upgraded the Ondo State School of Health Technology, Akure to Ondo State College of Health Technology, Akure.

*These and many more.

Olabode R Olatunde
Special Assistant to the Governor (New Media)
September 6th, 2019

Member of the Ondo State House of Assembly have approved the request of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu to access a N50bn bond.

Governor Akeredolu had earlier sought the support of the lawmakers to borrow the funds to facilitate some infrastructural development in the state.

The Ondo House of Assembly gave the approval on Thursday during their sitting in Akure, the state capital.

Chairman, House Committee on Finance and Appropriation, Sunday Olajide, disclosed this to journalists.

Olajide said the bond will come in two tranches, adding that N30bn will be accessed now.

Also, the lawmakers passed a bill seeking to amend the retirement age for workers in the state’s tertiary institutions.

SaharaReporters gathered that those to benefit from the amendment include workers in state-owned tertiary institutions, teaching hospital, research institutes, and colleges of education.

Source: http://saharareporters.com/2019/09/05/ondo-lawmakers-give-akeredolu-go-ahead-access-n50bn-bond

The Ondo state contingent to the 2019 pilgrimage in Makkah and Saudi Arabia has arrived back home safely.

According to the Chairman, Ondo State Muslim Welfare Board, Alhaji Khaleel Fawehinmi , all the pilgrims and accompanying officials were hale and hearty.

Fawehinmi who is also the Seriki Musulumi of Ondo State said the pilgrims offered prayers at the Grand Mosque in Makkah for the government of the state and its people.

He said the state contingent will depart the Ilorin Airport for Akure as soon as all immigration formalities and clearance of pilgrim’s luggage are completed.

He hailed the positive conduct of the Ondo contingents while in the holy land.

hargbolahan01:
with the way we hear this guy praise now it shows he is working but B4 we heard he is not doing anything...that is why it is not good to judge people fast

I agree with you.

The Social media space is an interesting avenue for Information and Orientation. For government, it's a very good platform to interact with members of the general public. The social media space, in recent time, has become a ready avenue for social interaction.

As the Ondo State Social Media Day holds today in Akure, the state capital, my main gospel to our people and other social media users is to see the social media as a Tool rather than a weapon. A tool enhances our capacity and ability. Let's see it as an avenue to hold government accountable and drive for accountability. Let's embrace the social media as the platform for a common man.

We must understand the inherent danger in weaponinsing the social media. For the good of the public and the common man, we must avoid acts and statements that question our integrity and personalities. We must run away from statement that is capable of setting our state and country on fire. Let us use the social Media for the good of our people.

I want to appreciate my brother and friend, Gbenga Adene for this great initiative. It is personally painful that I couldn't attend due to official engagement. I pray the good Lord will continue to bless us all. God bless Ondo State. Good bless Nigeria.

Olabode Richard Olatunde
Special Assistant to the Governor (New Media)
31st August, 2019

StrikeBack:
Road construction is the best way to steal money.

Not taking anything away from him. Good work

I'm not a political person but This is one of the most transparent government in Ondo state.

There was wild jubilation by residents, motorists and farmers in Afin and Eshe, both in Akoko, Ondo State, as Governor Rotimi Akeredolu commenced the rehabilitation of 20 years abandoned road.

The road project, awarded to Cappa and Dabalto Construction Company, was flagged off, yesterday, by Ondo State Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Mr Saka Ogunleye.

The residents of Akoko North West Local Government Area of the state, who had been battling with deplorable state of Okeagbe-Afin-Ese-Ogbagi, were full of hope, excitement and joy when they saw earth moving road equipment working on the road as directed by the governor.

The road had been abandoned for over 20 years, making it difficult for both human and vehicular movements, while motorcycles became most popular means of transportation, charging exorbitant fares.

A community leader, Alhaji Ibrahim Kilani, who spoke with our correspondent, said that socio-economic activities in the area had worsened, as farmers couldn’t get their farm produces transported to the market.

He commended Governor Akeredolu for not forgetting rural communities who were predominantly farmers and relied on farm produces to make ends meet.

He noted that both Afin and Eshe communities would never forget the governor, as this would equally reduce rural urban drift by young school leavers.

Kilani also lauded the tireless efforts of the state commissioner for Town Planning and Urban Development, Alhaji Rasheed Badmus, an indigene of Afin Akoko, who had assured his people of the governor’s fulfillment of his electioneering campaign promises.

A transporter, Mr Abu Temitero, expressed hope that the state government would put contractors on their toes to complete the road project as scheduled.

A market women leader and the Oloribirin of Afin, Mrs Abike Akintola, also commended both the governor and the commissioner for coming to the rescue of the ancient towns affected by the road.

She noted that market women would now be patronising both Afin and Eshe markets.


Source: http://leadership.ng/2019/09/01/jubilation-as-akeredolu-begins-reconstruction-of-20-years-abandoned-road/

The Ondo State Government has urged it's citizens to make tax payment a priority for it to improve on the infrastructural projects in the state.

Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu stated this while declaring open a one day sensitization programme organized by the Ondo State Internal Revenue Service (ODIRS) in collaboration with the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN) for Informal Sector in the Economy, at the State Information Technology Agency (SITA), in Akure the state capital.

The Governor who was represented by the Commissioner for Finance, Mr. wale Akinterinwa, commended the President of the CITN for the collaboration between the Institute and the Internal Revenue Service of the state, described the programme as timely to enlighten the stakeholders on the essence of tax payment in the state.

Arakunrin Akeredolu noted that the developed countries did not find themselves where they were today, but they were able to develop through honesty and prompt payment of their various taxes by the citizenry.

The State Head of Service, Mr. Dare Aragbaiye in his remarks lauded the coming together of the various associations for the good of the state, saying it would expand the tax net as well as boosting the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the state.

In his address, the Chairman, of the State Revenue Service, Mr. Tolu Adegbie welcomed all the stakeholders and explained that the collaboration with the CITN as a professional body is to enlighten the stakeholders on various taxes, the need to pay, when & how and penalties for defaulters.

Mr. Adegbie informed the stakeholders of the laws that backed payment of taxes, categories and the rates earmarked for each group that would be made available for every individual as soon as possible.

Earlier in her speech, the President and Chairman of Council, CITN, Mrs. Dame Simplice, who was represented by Dean, Tax Administration & Policy Faculty CITN, Mrs. Banke Akanni, said one of the key element missing in tax mobilization effort in the country is the seeming disconnection between the taxpayers and the tax authorities, resulting in low tax compliance that could be bridged by continual enlightenment of the stakeholders on payment of taxes.

The President pointed out that the programme was to provide clear and simple terms in various taxes applicable to corporate entities and individuals, the mode of filing returns, due dates for filing and penalties for default.

Mrs. Simplice emphasized the need for taxpayers to fulfill their obligation in line with the relevant tax laws administered by the tax authorities at all levels as against the old method of citizen depending on government to provide needed amenities before paying taxes.

Responding on behalf of the stakeholders, the State President, National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools, Chief Deric Ijidakinro and the State Chairman, Nigeria Automobile Technicians Association (NATA), Mr. Babatunde Sobande, thanked the state government for the development and promised to contributes their own qoutas for the development of the state.

Itunu Lijofi,
Press Officer
ODIRS

ALOZIE GENEVIEVE
TCC NEWS

Water is a very important element to human existence. The uses and management of water resources plays a vital role in ensuring the future of humankind.


History has shown that various human activities has contributed to the shortage in water supply.



Over the years, Ondo state has encountered different challenges due to inadequate supply of portable water. This has led many individuals into seeking for alternative sources of water from unhygienic places. This action has exposed so many people to waterborne diseases.




The Ondo State Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu is a man who listens and understands what the people want.



To ensure adequate supply of portable water and to improve water security in the state, the Ondo State Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu introduced “KAMOMI AKETI”, a water project initiative that is designed to solve the need of portable water supply across the 18 local government areas in the State.



According to the Ondo State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA) a total number of 707 Hand pump and 215 Boreholes have been constructed in the various communities across the state through the KAMOMI AKETI project



The success of this initiative KAMOMI AKETI has generated large followership and recognition throughout the 36 states in Nigeria as various state governments are studying and implementing it in their various states.



The federal government plans to adopt the KAMOMI AKETI initiative as a strategy for the ongoing PEWASH policy of boreholes rehabilitation across the federation.



According to the national coordinator of Federal government PEWASH initiative, Mrs. Jummai Umar-Wakasso, “Governor Akeredolu's KAMOMI AKETI initiative is cost effective and community driven.



Mrs. Jummai Umar-Wakasso said that the federal government was spending 400,000 naira to rehabilitate one hand pump borehole, compared to the 81,000 naira being used by ondo state through the Ondo Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA)



She also said that in support of KAMOMI AKETI the federal government's PEWASH initiative, has constructed 489 boreholes in six different local government of the state.




The KAMOMI AKETI initiative has succeeded in curbing shortage of water supply in the state.



The people of Ondo state most especially the rural dwellers will no longer face the challenges that come with water resources as they enjoy steady water supply in their different communities.

Having taken cognisance of the commitment of the wife of Ondo State governor, Mrs. Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, to champion the cause of women and to raise the next generation of selfless female leaders, the Institute for National Transformation, INT, has bestowed on her an award of Excellence.

She received the award at the INT office Lekki Lagos, during her thank-you visit to the management of the institute for their support for BEMORE Empowered initiative.


In his address, the Chairman of the Board of the institute, Mr. Mike Adebiyi noted that Mrs. Akeredolu’s philanthropic initiatives are in tandem with the vision of INT which is the transformation of families, organisations, communities, and nations to their highest levels of performance and achievement.

He expressed the readiness of the institute to partner her programmes in raising valued-based and no excuse leaders of responsibility.


Responding, Mrs. Akeredolu appreciated the support given to the BEMORE Empowered initiative and affirmed that her initiatives like BEMORE , SOLAYO, and FOWOSO are on the same page with the missions of INT.

She emphasised the need for a paradigm shift in the way individual utilises his/her skill and knowledge for self-development and the society at large.


Mrs. Akeredolu noted that her passion to bring positive change to the society birthed BEMORE initiative to train young ones who are still malleable and with unpolluted ideas.


She explained to the management of the institute that the BEMORE initiative was designed to make the girls realise that they possess the capabilities of contributing to the socio-economic development of the country.


According to her, the issue of female subjugation, including low-female inclusion in politics and governance cannot be overcome by mere talks, noting that the BEMORE girls have started dreaming big on how to change the situation.


Some board members of the institute who witnessed the performance of the girls during the just-concluded Summer Bootcamp for Girls Naija commended the skills and knowledge instilled in the girls, especially in Solar Energy generation.

The immediate past Board Chairman of the institute, Prince Tunde Akindele, who represented INT Director, Prof. Vincent Anigbogu at the closing ceremony of the 2019 edition of BEMORE programme, attested to the transformation of the girls through the display of acquired skills.

He noted that Nigeria is faced with the problem of leadership characters, adding that in order to achieve Sustainable Development Goals, there must be a paradigm shift in the attitude of Nigerians.

Prince Akindele also affirmed that Mrs. Akeredolu’s vision is in line with INT’s to develop disciplined people with disciplined thought, who will execute disciplined actions for national development.

Lalasticlala

Technological utilisation has been described as a veritable development that is reshaping the lives of the modern man for entrepreneurship and creative innovations.

Speaking at the FUTUREHACK Southwest programme at the Federal University of Technology, Akure, the Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN said effective solutions, ideas and innovations are inherent in technology, for the purpose of addressing challenges of poverty, job creation and sustainable development.

The programme organized by the National Information Technology Development Agency, NITDA and facilitated by the Office of ICT Innovation and Entrepreneurship, OIIE, centered on education challenges; e-education innovations, was the fourth edition of FUTUREHACK.

The governor represented by his Chief of Staff, Chief Olugbenga Ale, said in view of the fact his administration has since inception placed high premium on values of technology, the state owned schools at all levels from primary, secondary to tertiary institutions have integrated technology education into their curricula.

While commending the choice of FUTA for the event in Southwest Nigeria, Governor Akeredolu believed the platform would help energise the creativity of students at developing unique solutions for education sector reforms.

Arakunrin Akeredolu implored student designers, developers and young innovators to leverage on the knowledge acquired through FUTUREHACK to move to greater heights.

In her welcome address, the National Coordinator, Office for ICT Innovation and Entrepreneurship, OIIE, Dr Amina Sambo-Magaji said through technology innovations students in universities across the country are becoming ICT entrepreneurs and innovators.

She commended the tripartite arrangement between the Ondo State Government, Federal University of Technology, Akure and the Private Sector on the development of Akure TECH HUB which she said was worthy of emulation by states of the federation.

Also the Director General National Information Technology Development Agency, NITDA, Mr Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi said students and the unemployed young people should leverage on technological utilisations mainstreamed into FUTUREHACK .

The DG who was represented by a Director in NITDA, Mr Olayinka Adejube lauded the Ondo State Government for its commitments to technological education and more importantly for the initiative of the state on Akure TECH-HUB which according to him was facilitating human capital development.

Earlier, in his Goodwill Message the Senior Special Assistant to the State Governor on Innovation and Partnership, Mr Joel Ogunsola appreciated the choice of Ondo State for the Fourth edition of FUTUREHACK.

He used the occasion to showcase the credible outcomes from the State Government's investment on Akure TECH HUB which according him has made its Startups worthy entrepreneurs.

Source: http://ondostate.gov.ng/Home/NewsItem/NITDA--OIIE-commend-Governor-Akeredolu-on-Akure-TECH-HUB

From next academic session, the University of Medical Science, (UNIMED) Ondo will commence the study of herbal medicine.

The university’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Friday Okonofua dropped the hint in Ondo during an exclusive interview.

Okonofua said the curriculum for the programme had been developed by the institution and submitted to the National University Commission (NUC) for approval.

If approved, he said it would afford the university to research into herbs and as well run undergraduate study in herbal medicine.

Okonofua said the NUC has indicated interest but would develop the guidelines for running the programmes which he said would be ready before the end of the this year.

He noted that 11 of the institution’s programmes have met the conditions of the NUC which he said had visited the university about three times before they were given accreditation.

The accredited courses are: Medicine and Surgery, Dentistry, Anatomy, Biochemistry, Physiology, Physiotherapy, Nursing, Mathematics, Physics, Biological Sciences and Chemistry.

His words: “Two more programmes; Nursing and Physiotherapy are due for visitation in November.

“Currently, we are preparing to receive the NUC visitation. The Medical Lab. Science is also due next year. The Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria has visited our Medical and Dental programme. Every time they visited, they always give us accreditation,” he added.

The Vice Chancellor said that before any university could graduate doctors, the MDC has to visit such institution four times. He said that it was a major achievement and a milestone for the university to get Medical and Dental Programmes accredited within three years.

According to him, some universities established after eleven years still found it difficult to get accreditation for such programmes and that for UNIMED to get it in three years was a major achievement.

He added that the university’s Teaching Hospital has also applied for Post Graduate accreditation in Medicine, Surgery, Pediatric among other courses and expressed the optimism that they would get it.

Okonofua said the institution is set to break record on research on Lassa Fever and Public Health. ‘Research is advancing on high rate of trimming among the Yoruba,” he added.

The first set of the university students, he said would graduate in December this years.

The Vice Chancellor said UNIMED has gone in collaboration with New York State University and various others in the area of research.

He warned Nigerians eating fruits and vegetables grown with fertilizer, saying that is the reason for the high rate of cancer in the country today.

Source: https://www.thehopenewspaper.com/nuc-accredits-unimed-11-courses/

More Photos

UPDATE:
Akinola Barakat a BEMORE Ambassador has emerged as the Best Solar Student in the 2019 BEMORE Summer Bootcamp. She is receiving her gift from Her Excellency Arabinrin Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu the Gift is Sponsored by ASHDAM Solars!

As the 2019 third edition of the BEMORE Summer Bootcamp for Girls Naija closes today, the initiator and wife of the Ondo State governor, Mrs. Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu has urged the girls to go back to their various homes and change the narrative about womanhood.

Mrs. Akeredolu who addressed the girls at the Public Service Training Institute, Ilara-Mokin earlier before the closing ceremony, enjoined them to proclaim what they have been taught at the camp and impact the society positively.

She advised them to introduce a ‘Weekend democracy meeting’ to their families where they would be sharing some of the things they learned with them for good living.

” I’m expecting a feedback from all of you, be free to talk to your parents, interact with your parents, open up with your them and don’t wait till decades.

“BEMORE is an endless world of opportunities and possibilities. If you are selfless you will not be greedy, remember the crucible where you are all made”, she said.

She assured that their progress will be monitored and how they utilise the knowledge they acquired to change the society.

Mrs. Akeredolu further enjoined them to educate their mothers on nutritional foods which they were given throughout their stay in the camp, and share experiences with friends.

The initiator of the BEMORE Empowered programme used the medium to disclosed the achievement recorded through BEMORE platform to promote birth registration in Ondo state.

She noted that the birth registration will be flagged off next week in the State.

Congratulating the Returnees, Mrs. Akeredolu expressed optimism to have more returnees comes 2020 edition.

Some of the returnees who excelled at both international and national competitions were recognised with presentation of gifts.

Also, Miss Olabisi Barakat who performed excellently in solar training was awarded by ASHDAM Solar Energy.

They were later given certificate of participation.

Infinityk:
Ondofirstborn ondoupdates

Absolutely amazing place to be and enjoy your life.

The new Olowo of Owo in Ondo state, Prince Gbadegesin Ogunoye, was on Friday installed as the 33rd Owo monarch.

The traditional rites started very early and were witnessed by residents of the town and other guests.


Speaking to reporters, the Ojumu of Owo, Chief Olanrewaju Famakinwa, said that the rites became necessary as being laid down by customs and culture of the ancient town.

Famakinwa said that the monarch chose sword of peace in the course of the rite.

He said: “Oba Ogunoye who is being installed today chose a sword which signifies peace.

“Traditionally, before Olowo is installed, he will have to choose a sword at Oke Mapo and it is believed that whatever one he chooses will tell how his reign will be.

“Coincidentally, he chose the same sword chosen by his father more than 30 years ago and the sword represents sword.”

Also, the Agbaomolowo of Owo, Chief Idowu Oludaye, said the day was a good one for the ancient town because there was a new monarch.

He described the new Olowo as a man of honour, patience and humility, hoping his reign would bring peace, prosperity and development to the town.

Oludaye urged Oba Ogunoye to accommodate all and sundry, advising the residents of the town to support him.

He said there will be coronation of the new Olowo in the next 17 days.

Also the Adanigbo Onula, Chief Kunle Ijalana, said the day was spectacular because it was another success recorded in the town.

Ijalana prayed that the new monarch would reign longer than those before him.

Oba Ogunoye was selected as Olowo after getting 14 votes out of 15 on July 12 after demise of late Oba Victor Olateru- Olagbegi who died on April 18, 2019, aged 77.

The legal practitioner voluntarily resigned as Permanent Secretary in the state civil service on Thursday to ascend the throne of his ancestors.

Source: https://thenationonlineng.net/new-olowo-ogunoye-installed/amp/

As Prince Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye gets set to ascend the throne of the Olowo of Owo today, a question agitating the minds of chroniclers of history is which sword of the past Olowos will he pick?

Picking the swords of past Olowos is an integral part of the installation rites of a new Olowo to predict what becomes of his reign.

Anxiety is mounting in the ancient town whose sword the new monarch after being blind folded will pick.

Historians believe history may repeat itself with the new monarch following the footsteps of his late father, Oba Adekola Ogunoye who picked the Elewuokun sword depicting peace and development.

Elewuokun dynasty is the progenitor of the Ogunoyes and was reputed to have produced many children who later became the Olowo of Owo.

Both the Ogunoye and Olagbegis trace their ancestry to the legendry Elewuokun.

True to prediction, Oba Ogunoye’s tenure who reigned for 24 years was peaceful and marked with growth and development.

Also today, the new monarch will be installed as Chiefs in two quarters as the Alamuren, Anaun before he becomes the 33rd Olowo.

The new monarch is expected to perform the symbolic breaking of the palace fence to enter the palace as part of his installation.

The new Olowo is expected to go through other installation rites at the designated points in the town mainly at Arigidi where he would perform three rites before returning to the palace for seclusion for 17 days.

Meanwhile, all burial activities and digging of graves or ground for any purpose what so ever are forbidden in the ancient town today.

Ondo State government yesterday sealed off 10 event centres in Akure, Ondo State capital for evading tax.

The director in charge of hotel registration and classifications in the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Mr Kehinde Olasoji who led the team of enforcement exercise emphasised that tax evasion is a criminal offence.

Areas visited by the team are Ijapo Estate and Oke Aro in Akure where ten centres were eventually sealed off.

The director said the state would not tolerate tax evasion, stressing that the numerous projects being carried out by the government could only be sustained and improved upon if taxes are paid as and when due.

Olasoji vowed that it would be a continuous exercise.

Source: https://www.thehopenewspaper.com/odsg-seals-10-event-centres-over-tax-evasion/

Lalasticlala mynd44

jafol:
Sorry I cannot stand this woman, she is the reason why people won’t vote for Aketi this time around. Igbo my foot why can’t she develop her own potopoto state oloshi

Hate speech

As part of efforts put in place to eradicate killer diseases among children, Ondo State Government has introduced Meningitis vaccine(Men A) into Routine Immunisation Schedule.

To this end, mothers and caregivers have been advised to present their children who are between 9 and 15 months for the vaccination.

Speaking at the ceremony to mark the introduction of the vaccine, Commissioner for Health, Dr. Wahab Adegbenro described measles, yellow fever and meningitis as killer diseases in children noting that vaccines have been made available for children at nine month old to prevent their occurrence in them.

Commending Federal Government for the introduction of Men A vaccine to eradicate meningitis, Adegbenro hinted that the vaccine which will be given free of charge, has no side effect.

While expressing appreciation to the state development partners for the support in the state, he reiterated government’s resolve to continue to improve health care delivery in the state, noting that the long awaited Contributory Health Scheme of government will commence in October, 2019.

According to him, the scheme will enable everyone who keys into it access health at no cost adding that government will pay the premium for pregnant women, under five children and the vulnerable group.

Speaking earlier, representative of the Special Adviser on Health and Executive Secretary, Ondo State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Francis Akanbiemu, described meningitis as a deadly disease which could be prevented by vaccination.

He stated that the introduction of the vaccine into the routine immunisation schedule will assist in eradicating the deadliest killer disease of child growth.

While acknowledging the effort of the present government in the state in providing enabling environment for efficient and effective health care delivery he implored health workers to give the vaccine diligently.

He however, called on the people to pass the message across to others in their jurisdiction.

Representative of partner agencies, Mr. Tunde Ayoade, while congratulating the state government said the achievement is in line with World Health Organization (WHO).

He affirmed that the vaccine is safe and effective, saying, “it will protect Nigerian children from deadly disease.”

On his part, representative of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Mr. Adetunji Adeoye described meningitis as a devastating disease which remains a major public health challenge.

According to him, the introduction of its vaccine provides protection against Neisseria Meningitis serotype A and assured that the vaccine alongside other vaccines provided by Federal Government is safe, potent and effective in protecting children from vaccine preventable diseases.

https://www.thehopenewspaper.com/killer-diseases-odsg-introduces-meningitis-vaccine/

Because I am also in the civil society, I understand these things, I understand the dynamics, I understand that when you want to do something different and people resist change, what you do is to keep on trying to win people over. Like when we started BEMORE, heaven let loosed but I knew that was the mentality of people who are yet to be exposed to appreciate what is going on elsewhere. But like I said, I have travelled widely and I had close encounters with people that really matter in this world. I know that when you talk about development of humanity, you may take or need to look at bigger pictures. For instance, early this year, a group of US based medical professionals, consisting of doctors, nurses came all the way from San-Diego to help our people. They paved their way, free of charge. It is not as if they are very rich like Bill Gate, they are regular people, imagine staff of a Nigerian university paying for tickets to do such with their salaries. Therefore, we are different kind of human beings. The leader had earlier asked that what could they do to support the programme of my husband, I said you know me now, l am in health. Apart from the supplies and everything they brought, they even had lectures and workshops at the Akure Specialist Hospital and UNIMED hospital.

I told you that I am also promoting young people in Tennis ,so I am also “Mama Tennis.” Volunteers came with bags of shoes, rackets and so on, so when I received that kind of support from people that do not know me from Adam, all this resistance, I just ignored it. And they are coming again in February even bigger. They are now coming with Oncologists in breast and cervical cancer. They now have a bigger team coming in February because when they came the first time we were very hospitable to them. In a way, we are also polishing the image of Nigeria that is terrible outside the world.

A lot of women said fund has been a major limitation to their aspirations to contest political offices? Is this true?

It is very true and it is because of what we have in this country and even in Africa in general, how the society rates women, you oppress us, you beat us, you abuse us verbally. A woman that does not have an income and the husband bought a car for her, when they quarrel , the husband will remove the tyres or even collect the key because she is totally dependent on him.

But I think it is changing now because I know the generation of my daughters, they will not agree. It is true, they won’t and that is why we have a lot of marriages hitting the rocks. I keep saying that it is the responsibility of mothers and grandmothers to really begin to change approach of raising their sons, let them be compassionate, let men have emotions. You know if a man is crying, they will say are you not a man? Why are you crying? Those are the things they made them to understand. You know masculine is all about being tough all the time, if you are married and anybody sees you helping your wife in the kitchen, there will be problem, they will say she has turned him to a houseboy. Women are the ones saying it to their daughters or sisters-in-law.

Let there be paradigm shift because you see men as our cover does not mean a woman should be helpless. Like I said, by the time we begin to recognise the fact that women have a role to play in socio-economic development of the society, you will give them space to be themselves and maximise whatever potentials they have. If it is their careers, they should pursue it without running away from marriage, even this day, there are some women who said that they will not marry but make babies to take care of because of such happenings ,so the society give our women that space to be themselves, making their own money and supporting the family. When it comes to politics, if she wants to venture into it, at least she will have her own money, even though you still need people that will support you, but at least you will have something. In our society, they will say give forms to women for free, I kicked against such, I said you people are joking. Why should that be­­, if you are contesting a position, if they are paying one million, pay it so that they will not be demeaning womanhood. Like I said, you have this political gang up against women, even your brother will not say you are his sister, there must be something about the menfolk, you will be shocked. When I write my memoir about my experience in politics you will see it. In politics it is like we have a different tribe of men and tribe of women and you see that the disparity is obvious.

What has been your experience since you became a First Lady?

I think it is a mixed grill. It is challenging, it has always been. You know you are dealing with human beings when you think that you are doing the right thing, people will criticise, you know arm chair critics, when you say come, let us have a debate, they do not have anything to say, some think oh, she think that she is all that. We didn’t vote for you, we voted for your husband and he is the governor and what they failed to realise is that I graduated in 1977, let me say I went to the university when you must have credits at a sitting, including English language and Mathematics. I keep on emphasizing that when my mates did not get admission, they began to travel to America. That was the standard of education in the 70s, so anybody that went to the university during this time, you can call that person ‘smart’. When we sat for the entrance, we still came back to write the final selection. Papers were not set for only men, same thing happened during classes and examinations, it was for everybody but you now come out in the bug, it’s a different bugging and that is why some of us who are self professed feminists can understand it, because we are talking about how the standard of education was. We were equal with our mates because we were smart. So having graduated at that time, I still went to Philippines for my Masters and for somebody to now think that I do not have an opinion, I think that person must be joking and that is why they think women must be swept under the carpet. During my own generation, I do not know about others but at that time, it was highly competitive for you to be in the university in the 70s. University was an international standard.

There were certain things you were doing before you became the First Lady which you would not be able to do any longer, what are those things?

With my education and status, you do not expect me to be a First Lady that is inside the bedroom, that is what I want to correct. People have said that even the First Lady has opinion, people are shocked that the First Lady is on social media, I was there before I became the First Lady, I had Facebook account, I had Twitter, LinkedIn, even though, I am no more doing that, why should I not? I made it clear that if you come to my page to insult me, I will fire back. I am not limited, and some of them have come to realize this and now when they attack me they do it maturely. Initially, they thought they could do otherwise, but they now realised that you cannot mess up with this First Lady, you cannot. We need to put people in their lanes, let them maintain their lanes, respect others, you cannot just come to the social media to insult people. For instance the other time, I took my FOWOSO women to go and inspect the state industrial hub which everybody should be excited about, there was this confusion that was it a visit or an inspection, it was funny. Today, I am very close to one of the critics. That has really strengthened me and even propeled me to do more. BRECAN has been in existence 20 years before I became the First Lady.

How were you able to blend the challenges of being an activist, First Lady, mother and wife?

I am a grandmother too, (laughs). It can only happen to somebody who is restless; I have been restless all my life. My husband will tell you that. That has been my life, like I said, I am expected to even get slim but I am adding more flesh I said I cannot believe this. What happen is that some of these programmes when I see the successes, I feel so happy.

Do you still do house chores, cook, go to the market, do you shop?

How can I (laughs). You want to kill me, not now. You know that the responsibilities are huge but I know that if Aketi and I go back home, he is not a man that will be lying on the bed, we do things together, but here I must be honest with you, which kind market (laughs) there is no room for that, there are lots of responsibilities.

How will you rate the achievements of Mr Governor?

Me, not me, it is the people of Ondo State that will rate him but I can say that he knew what he wanted to do before he even attempted to run for the post , because we are a couple that communicate with each other effectively, and that is one of the thing that is responsible for the success of our marriage. I am not saying that we are perfect, marriage is not always a bed of roses but the ability to talk to each other and express our opinions, it got to a stage that we said why are we in the comfort of our room and we are complaining about Nigeria, what can we do and that was it. So he knew what he wanted to do and like he keeps saying that God has blessed him, what more could he ask for than to serve his people and I know that he is also somebody who, when he is wishing to do something, he will accomplish it no matter what. He is a man of his words, if he tells you he will do this, he will do it, and if he tells you he will not do it, forget it, don’t even bother to pressurise him. People have always said that he is not a politician because he will not lie. It is left for the people to access him, not me as his wife but I know that he also has this philosophy that what is good for the goose is good for the gander. He is spreading out his developmental programmes. There will always be A before Z so people should exercise patience. He will do whatever he can to make sure that everybody has the feeling of the government. The only demand is your support and when you feel something is not okay, say it in a constructive manner not in a damaging form or making an apple become a banana because when people peddle rumour and say this is a banana whereas it is an apple, in no time people will believe that it is a banana not an apple and that is what is obtained in political landscape not only in Ondo State but everywhere. But I know that once you have good intention, you may not please everyone because there are people that are professional oppositionists. They will never see anything good in you, but when you have the majority appreciating the little you are doing, what else, so it is the Ondo state people that will rate him not me.

Your advice to the people generally?

My advice is for the people to support him. There is no doubt about it, Aketi means well for the state and he is a man that is contented, he is not materialistic, he is a very simple person. So, everybody should exercise patience, everybody will get something from this government. We must start from somewhere, just like the example of ABC I used earlier, so those that might be Q,R,S, it will still get to their turns but when you start agitating unnecessarily, I think it is not healthy for the system. He was also a student activist and likewise myself, I have been an activist all my life. We all know that sometimes, you need to agitate or lobby. When I wanted government to consider building a Cancer Centre, because the centre to get quality care is UCH Ibadan, but if we can have that here they will not need to travel a long distance. A state like this can take care of such and what do we do, we carried our advocacy to the House of Assembly to let them see the reasons. It is also part of activism, and you must do it in a civilised manner, in a constructive manner, trying to convince people. For example, some of our patients that we supported for their treatment were also civil servants and they had not been paid their gratuities and these are people experiencing life threatening diseases, you must have the compassion to consider them. Last year’s World Cancer Day, we marched to the State ex-Head of Service, Akinkuotu, he said he had never seen that before in his life. I said “we are here, you have to commit yourself,’ I will, I am ‘and he repeated after us because that was the theme of last year’s World Cancer Day and behold, it worked .The women’s files were fast-tracked. That is what we can do for these women, they need money to do extra treatments because when you have cancer, even your diet changes, it is not every food you can eat and that cost money and we will continue to appreciate him for doing that for us. That is activism in a civilized manner, if we had carried placards and said ‘We no go gree o’ we decided to burn tyres, it won’t make much use. But there are other activism that can require us to burn tyres like rape, that one ‘We no go gree’ we can carry placards. We condemn rape in its entirety.

Mrs Akeredolu who has also been nick-named Mama FOWOSO, Mama BRECAN, Mama DIGITAL and Mama Tennis in this interview speaks about how she has been able to succeed not only in these projects but also at the home front

Since you embarked on your various projects: FOWOSO, BEMORE and BRECAN, what has been your experience working on these projects and how much values have these projects been to the people of Ondo state?

When you evaluate the impacts of these programmes, I think it is better appreciated when such evaluation comes from the people. As a human being, you may think everything you are doing is okay but an outsider might have a different view about what you are doing and then draw your attention. So, it is always good for a second person to recognise this value.

BRECAN for an example, looking at the various people who have benefitted from the fund,one can beat her chest and say yes, we are making impact in that regard. These are women who were diagnosed with breast cancer and the thought of where to get money is a serious issue and here we have BRECAN that is saying okay come, even if we cannot give you all the money, we can at least give you the money for the very critical part of the protocol of treatments before going for surgery. That is very important because when you have breast cancer, the primary thing is to remove the disease from the breast before any other treatment.

So, we make sure we provide money for the surgery after conducting various tests to determine the stage of the disease; we cover all these and also cover chemotherapy. So, most of the time, we would have given the individual eighty percent of the money, so we say okay why can’t we go to other people too to also support. We have files of several people seeking for help for their treatment. From that, if anyone says you are not doing anything, I know that breast cancer patients can testify that BRECAN has touched many lives.

We are also creating awareness because that is very important. Many do not understand that it is the hospital they suppose to go if they observe anything, not going to the herbalists or prayer mountains. We always emphasise that awareness is key because our people need to know. The word ‘cancer’ is scary. But then, we always tell them that it does not necessarily kill but they should do certain things at the right time. People should know that breast cancer does not kill when people detect it early. When you find that lump, that painless lump, make sure you go to a doctor. Do not let people change your mind that you should go to one man or woman of God to start doing vigil or go to the mountain for marathon prayers , that is what we have been seeing here. A painless lump at times is cancer. We have also seen many survivors, it is better to stay alive than allowing it to grow and become severe. After going up and down, you will still end up in the hospital. That is why the awareness is very important.

Then, on BEMORE, this is the season of BEMORE. The success story has been very huge, I do not even know maybe I should concentrate on BEMORE than BRECAN, because it has been so beautiful looking at these girls in a joyful mood because some will even tell you that they have not been to Akure before, it is unbelievable. All the participants from Ilaje, Isua Akoko and many other areas, when they came, they feel so excited and eager to learn. Elizade has provided for us a very conducive environment to learn as well as the PSTI.

Within two weeks, these girls have been virtually transformed. The amazing result we are getting from BEMORE is great. This gives me the hope that we are grooming a different generation of Nigerian women. This year’s programme is very exciting and really beautiful. Some other states were even in the camp, so we have a kind of beautiful relationship. This is the third year and people in other states are already aware of BEMORE and we are also trying to reach out to more states as well. We want our daughters to experience this magic. This year, we have participants from Imo, Ekiti, Akwa-Ibom, Enugu and Kogi states. But in comparism, Ondo State remains the major force anyway.

In the last two years, how many people have benefitted?

We have 700 in Ondo state and 50 in Imo state, altogether, 750 but this year we have 250 participants. The beauty of the programme this year is that we have more states here, Ekiti came with large contingents, you know that the First Lady attended the closing ceremony last year and they were dazed.

You seems to have preferred the girl-child participating in BEMORE, is it because you have more faith in the girl-child?

Not necessarily that I have more faith, but rather because we need to empower the girl-child, build the girl-child, mould her so that she could be recongnised that she has potentials and that she should not be limited by any barriers set by the society and these barriers I would like to mention one of them that states that women are supposed to be in the kitchen, doing house chores. That is the way the society has packaged the girl-child right from the time she came out from the womb. The society has dictated to her that this is how you should talk, live, when men are talking you should not interfere , when you have visitors, only your husband must be there, you dare not put mouth, as we speak. These are still happening. But I can tell you that these my girls, you cannot do that with them because they have come to the BEMORE world with endless opportunities, so we are opening doors for them in other world they were not used to.

Why should a woman not contribute to the socio-economic development of her society? Has anybody even bothered why we are not moving forward? If half of your population is illiterate, what do we do? Not all these women are educated, go to the villages, you will discover that most of our women are illiterates, forget about what you see in the cities if all women are not literate ,then such a country needs improvement in the lives of the citizens. Though, men are the heads but what we tend to realize is that we are still backward because the family structure is barely literate, that is the problem that people failed to recognise. These women want to take over, we need to improve the lot of our women in the society to even advance and that is one of the things we are trying to do in FOWOSO. One does not necessarily need to go to the university or bag PHD, but our women need to have that basic education and skills to register a profound impact on their lives. An educated woman will have few children, will know that she needs to go for anti-natal care; she does not need to go to those churches that have maternity homes to deliver babies because when they have a bridge or bleeding, it will be too late most time before carrying her to the hospital.

I cannot imagine my daughter patronising traditional birth attendant (Agbebi) that is what illiteracy brings. We need to empower our women. Any woman that is empowered whether through skill or education will contribute her quota to the development of the society. That is what FOWOSO is trying to do in terms of skill acquisition for grassroots women. When she has a steady income, she will not be selective of her children that will go to school, all of them will go to school and even that are how you open up a family that is how a family becomes educated. Now you cannot expect an illiterate woman that her husband has four to five wives breeding children all over the place to do same.

Since you commenced these programmes, what major challenges and support have you received?

The major challenge I have experienced to be honest with you was that some people resisted change, but if I were somebody who is not in the development sector, I would have given up, because they told me you do not do it this way, but I cannot do it the same way the previous administrations have done it or how other First Ladies have done it.

It was a little difficult to penetrate and convince them that let’s try it this way, we can have a better result, we have to try something else because I have come here with a different package.

...contd

Members of Owo Development Association, Akoko branch have described the efforts of the Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu at placing the Sunshine State on the world map of industrialised states as commendable.

The group, which spoke through its Ikare Akoko Chairman, Mr John Ola Owoputi, during a chat with The Hope after an extra-ordinary meeting in Oka Akoko, said it would do everything possible to rally support for the governor.

Owoputi declared that as a result of the laudable achievements of the governor, indigenes of Owo in Akoko and other parts of the state can walk tall in their host communities.

In the same vein, the Group Coordinator, Pastor Festus Oloye said the recent efforts of the governor in industrialising the state and the visible evidences of the commencement is remarkable.

Pastor Oloye said the governor has proved that dedication and commitment to a conscious efforts on the part of those in the helm of administration can transform Ondo State and indeed Nigeria to an economic giant.

He said that the governor has shown a great commitment to achieving the five-point agenda of his administration which include jobs creation through agriculture, entrepreneurship and industrialisation.

According to him, the Ore Industrial Park alone which is situated on 1000 hectares of land, which is a global standard, will in a long way meet the increasing demand for cost competitive industrial zone in Nigeria

Pastor Oloye therefore called on the people of the state to rally round the governor in his bid to take the state to an economic eldorado.

Meanwhile, the group has put in place plans to commence a ‘house to house’ and ‘one on one’ campaign for the second term bid for the governor.

According to the chairman of a committee set up for this development, Michael Asubiojo, the governor as an indigene of Owo has done them proud and the only way to reciprocate this is by ensuring that the governor succeeds in his second term bid.

Asubuojo told The Hope that in the next few weeks, the plans and programmes for the campaign will be unfolded.

The Ondo state government is expanding the scope of the state-owned Ondo Sunshine Travels

- The main aim of the expansion is to create transport entrepreneurs in the state

- The government is also partnering a private investor to achieve the feat while providing support by way of enabling the environment.

The Ondo government has expanded its transportation business with the main aim of creating transport entrepreneurs in the state. This was disclosed by Governor Rotimi Akeredolu when he inaugurated the state owned Ondo Sunshine Travels on Saturday, August 17.

The initiative is a result of a bipartisan business relationship between the Ondo state government and Peace Mass Transit (PMT) Ltd.

The PMT-Ondo Sunshine is said to be the first of its own kind, involving a state government in a and a private entrepreneur who has guaranteed the enormous capital outlay, while the government provided crucial counterpart support by way of enabling the environment.

Ondo Sunshine Travels is conceived to provide jobs for indigenes of the state and create transport entrepreneurs through the Driver-to-owner (DTO) scheme pioneered by PMT.

The owner of PMT, Chief Samuel Onyishi pledged at the inauguration to spare no resources to ensure the Ondo Sunshine Travels delivered on its mandate to avail Ondo people and all Nigerians at large a transportation that is safe, affordable, and pleasurable.

The entrepreneur also hailed Governor Akeredolu for rendering populist services, stressing that the governor apparently draws his professional exposure as a human right lawyer and activist before venturing into partisan politics.

In a related development, the Akwa Ibom state government has kick-started its own flour business as part of its plans to industrialize the state.

The flour mill located in the state, has a 500 metric tons per day capacity and will create over 1,000 job opportunities for young people in the state, capable of turning Akwa Ibom into a major hub in bakery services in the region.

Source: https://www.legit.ng/1254947-ondo-govt-invests-transportation-business-create-transport-entrepreneurs.html

Ahead the efforts of the Governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu to ensure that a deep seaport is constructed in his domain, the Management of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has expressed its readiness to work with the state government to bring the deep seaport into reality.

The General Manager, Corporate and Strategic Communications of NPA, Engr. Adam Jatto dropped the hint in Abuja, on Thursday, at the sideline of the House of Representatives Adhoc Committee enquiring why the Eastern ports are underutlised.

He said: “The government of Ondo State has already written to the Authority for the Ondo Deep Seaport project and we are following the progress they making in that direction and the Authority is prepared to collaborate with the state to realise that dream. Our Managing Director, Ms Hadiza Bala-Usman would soon meet the Governor of Ondo State for that purpose.”





Speaking earlier, the Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Ms Hadiza Bala Usman has disclosed that the Authority has dredged Escravos Channel leading to Delta Ports from 3.4 to 7 meters to accommodate bigger vessels.





Ms Hadiza made this disclosure while explaining NPA’s contributions to making Eastern Ports function better during the public hearing by an Ad-Hoc Committee of the House of Representatives.

Represented by the NPA Executive Director in charge of Engineering and Technical Services, Engr. Idris Abubakar, Hadiza said that the Escravos Channel was last dredged 35 years ago before her administration embarked on it.





The MD said aside reduction in terminal charges to encourage patronage of the ports, her administration has embarked on corporate social responsibility to alleviate the plights of host communities and encourage entrepreneurship.





She told the lawmakers that the distance from the fairway buoys in the Eastern Ports are much longer than that of Lagos Ports and will require vessels in Eastern Ports to deploy more fuel and spend more time before berthing.

She added that the breakwater in Warri Port has given way for long while roads leading to the ports in different parts of the country require attention of the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing.





NPA according to her had written to the Ministry of Works since 2016 requesting that bridges in Taraba and roads leading from Calabar Port from the North East part of the country be fixed to enable cargo movement from Calabar to the north.





“We have installed Local Maritime Distress Surveillance System (LMDSS) Coastal Station. We are also running radio signals for over ten years to assist mariners calling at the eastern ports,” she said.



Source: https://www.newtelegraphng.com/2019/08/npa-to-partner-ondo-on-deep-seaport-project/

The Ondo State Government, through the Ondo State Micro- Credit Agency, on Thursday disbursed a sum of N166 m as soft loans to members of over 21 groups of traders, artisans and business owners.

Some of the groups that benefitted included : Association of Poultry Farmers, Nigeria Union of Tailors , Fish Farmers Association, Ondo State Hairdresser and Cosmetologists Association among others.

At the disbursement of the cheques to the groups, the state governor, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu, said the scheme, which was tagged ‘Apalara Micro-Credit Scheme’, was put in place to make fund easily accessible to the people to boost their business and economic activities.


Represented by his wife, Mrs Betty Akeredolu, the governor said his administration made the loan accessible to the traders in order to save them from passing through the stringent conditions in commercial banks.

According to the governor, the current administration in the state was determined to tackle poverty, banish hunger and create wealth.

He said, “There is no gainsaying the fact that the challenges facing governments of most developing countries, Nigeria inclusive , is that of poverty reduction.

“Our government is fully conscious of this fact and has, therefore, not relented in putting in place various poverty reduction programmes including micro credit loans for the benefit of our people, all aimed at improving their socio- economic well-being to achieve sustainable livelihood.

“I will therefore urged the beneficiaries of this loan to be faithful to its terms and conditions to ensure sustainability of the scheme.”

In her welcome address, the Chairman of the State Micro- Credit Agency, Mrs Kosemani Kolawole, said apart from the traders and artisans, some unemployed youths had also benefitted from the scheme


She commended some beneficiaries who had not default in the repayment of the previous loan after making judicious use of it. She also urged the new beneficiaries to emulate this.

Kolawole said, “ We have identified some unemployed youths who have been considered, we want more youths to come out and benefit from this scheme, some that have benefitted have started something with the loans and they are doing well in their businesses.”

https://punchng.com/ondo-disburses-n166m-loans-to-traders-artisans/

Ondo State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr. Donald Ojogo, has advocated the production of Ijaw language in Facts for Life sensitisation radio programme for better understanding of the people at the coaster area of the state.

The Information and Orientation Commissioner made the plea at a one-day media dialogue organised for broadcast media practitioners, particularly radio stations. The programme was organised by UNICEF in collaboration with Ondo State Ministry of Information held in Akure, the state capital.

Mr. Ojogo said the state government and UNICEF have enjoyed a robust relationship that positively impacted in the living standard of the people in the state.

In his words" Ministry of Information and Orientation is one of the line Ministries and Agencies of government in the state that implement UNICEF supported programme such as paintings on hygiene and sanitation in public schools and health facilities".

He hinted that one hundred and twenty(120) wall paintings on hygiene and sanitation, four paintings on exclusive breastfeeding have been carried out across the three Senatorial Districts of the State, which he said was aimed at propagating hygienic living of the people.

The Commissioner stressed that the radio programme on Facts for Life was produced by the Ministry in conjunction with UNICEF, which was designed to educate the people about key household practices that need to be imbibed by everyone in the community at large, in order to prevent communicable diseases and infant mortality.

He noted that fifty two episodes of the programme were developed on four household practices. They are, immunization, sanitation, nutrition and care of newborn, adding that all the episodes had been aired on the State owned radio station - Orange 94.5 FM, Akure at no cost and HOPE 89.1 FM, a radio station owned by Babcock University, Ilishan, Ogun State.

He further explained that fifty two episodes in Yoruba language have been produced and Orange FM has commenced airing in July 2019, noting that the media advocacy on Facts for Life would expand media partnership in propagating the message in the best interest of the people of the state.

In her address, the Akure Field Chief of UNICEF, Dr. Laxmi Bhawani, appreciated Ondo State government for supporting the International Organisation in promoting hygienic living of the people. She said children should be protected against all forms of violence and child abuse.

The UNICEF Chief added that children must be given adequate health care and proper nutrition, stressing that government has a role to play at ensuring every child is given quality education, because it is their right to be in school.

Bhawani maintained that the Facts for Life on radio has impacted positively in the living standard of the people because the people are well informed on hygienic living through enlightenment.

The UNICEF Chief also charged the media to play a vital role in the dissemination of information to the people on importance of keeping the environment clean.

Sola Omoboyowa,
Ministry of Information and Orientation