Health

Oyo State, UNICEF Use Football to Tackle Vaccine Hesitancy

By Web News 440

By Moses Morenikeji

In a novel approach to public health, the Oyo State Primary Health Care Board, OYSPHCB, and UNICEF have turned to football to combat vaccine hesitancy and low child immunisation rates.

They organised a tournament specifically to engage men, who are often the key decision-makers, in preventing vaccination.

The final match of the competition, tagged “Kick Zero Dose and Polio Away, One Goal at a Time,” took place at the Ebedi Stadium in Iseyin.

Iseyin United FC won the tournament, defeating New Starlet FC of Ibadan with a single goal.

Before the game, health officials led by OYSPHCB Executive Secretary, Dr Muideen Olatunji, visited the Aseyin of Iseyin, Oba Sefiu Olawale Oyebola.

They sought the traditional ruler’s support to promote routine immunisation in his domain.

Dr Olatunji highlighted the success of immunisations in reducing child mortality, recalling a time when infant death, or Abiku, was rampant due to ignorance.

He also announced an upcoming integrated Measles Rubella vaccination campaign scheduled for October 4th to 14th, targeting over three million children across Oyo State.

Explaining the football strategy, UNICEF’s Social and Behaviour Change Specialist, Mrs Aderonke Akinola-Akinwole, stated, “One of the gaps we have identified is that most times, women are saddled with the responsibility of taking their children for vaccination, but if we don’t get the consent of fathers, we may not be able to get enough children immunised.”

She noted that mothers often cite a lack of paternal consent as the reason for vaccine refusal.

“That is the reason why we are using the football tournament as a tool to drag men to become actively involved,” Mrs Akinola-Akinwole added.

Oba Oyebola pledged his community’s active participation in immunisation drives, stating that only healthy children can excel in sports.

The event successfully used the universal appeal of football to bridge a critical gap in Nigeria’s healthcare outreach.

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Economy

We will make Iseyin a solid minerals devt capital – Makinde

By Web News 943

Oyo State governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde assures that his administration is set to make Iseyin, located in the northern part of the state the solid minerals development capital of Nigeria.

Governor Makinde, who made this known at the 41 Days Fidau Prayers for the late Aseyin of Iseyin, Oba Dr Abdulganiyu Adekunle Salau, Ajinese held at the Iseyin District Grammar School, said that his administration would focus on tourism and solid minerals development if re-elected into office in 2023.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr Taiwo Adisa, quoted the governor as saying that his administration would work out how to derive benefits from the Ikere Gorge Dam and other tourist attractions across the state.

The governor described the late Aseyin as an individual who loved Iseyin and did his best to attract development to the town.

Governor Makinde, explained that his administration’s decision to connect Iseyin to all other zones of Oyo State through road infrastructure was part of the plan to make Iseyin a solid minerals development hub in the country.

He noted that the administration has completed the 65 kilometres Moniya-Iseyin Road, while the 76 kilometres Iseyin-Fapote-Ogbomoso Road has gone beyond 50 per cent.

He said: “We need to thank God for a day like this, because we are celebrating the life of our departed Kabiyesi.”

“I don’t think I have come across any individual who loved Iseyin like the departed Aseyin of Iseyin. The last time I came here for a condolence visit, I stated that it was on the sick bed that he signed the land document for the LAUTECH Faculty. “I can also remember that when I came to deliberate with him on how we can have Iseyin as the centre of Oyo State, I told him that we want to link Ogbomoso to Iseyin because Saki is already linked to Iseyin and he was very happy. He showed interest and said the road we are talking about, which is Iseyin-Fapote-Ogbomoso, was the route his forefathers passed when they were trading with other places. I told him how serious we are and promised that it won’t become an abandoned project.”

“Now, I am happy that, as of today, we have done beyond 50 per cent of that project.”

Earlier, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, Mr Ahmed Raji who welcomed and appreciated Governor Makinde and other dignitaries on behalf of Iseyin Community, lauded the governor, noting that his tenure, which coincided with the era of the late Aseyin, brought tremendous developments and progress to Iseyinland.

He, however, stated that the community would still want the governor to address some of its areas of needs, including the fixing of the Ikere Gorge Dam, which he said is capable of generating electricity for the people, giving potable water and boosting agriculture.

Mr Raji added that the government should also kindly give attention to fixing the Iseyin General Hospital and the potholes that were beginning to appear on the Iseyin Township Road built by the immediate past administration.

The event had in attendance by the Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kayode Ariwoola; the Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Chief Bayo Lawal and many government functionaries.

Iyabo Adebisi

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Lifestyle

Makinde Pays Condolence Visit to Palace of Aseyin

By Web News 409

Oyo State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde has paid a condolence visit to the palace of the late Aseyin of Iseyin, Oba AbdulGaniy Salaudeen, who passed away on July 24, 2022.

Governor Makinde, who led his deputy, Chief Adebayo Lawal and other top government officials to the palace, described the demise of the traditional ruler as a great loss to him, the people of Iseyin and the entire state.

He said the 15 years reign of the late Aseyin was characterized by development, peace and tranquillity in Iseyin land.

The governor pledged to provide for the welfare of the wives and children of the late Oba Salaudeen, adding that his administration’s developmental projects in Iseyin land would not cease.

He further promised that the State Government would play a significant role in the burial ceremony of Oba Salaudeen.

Earlier in their respective remarks, the Chairman of Iseyin Local Government, Mr Muftau Abilawon, and the Ikolaba of Iseyin, Chief Ismail Omotosho, appreciated the efforts of Governor Seyi Makinde while the late Aseyin battled his protracted illness.

They pledged that the people of Iseyin would continue their unflinching support for the present administration in Oyo State.

Oba Salaudeen, aged 62, died at the University College Hospital (UCH) Ibadan, after prolonged sickness.

Iyabo Adebisi

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Lifestyle

Aseyin Will Be Highly Missed – Ahmed Raji

By Web News 956

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria and illustrious son of Iseyinland, Mr Ahmed Raji has declared that the entire Oke Ogun region will miss the pivotal roles of Aseyin of Iseyin, Oba Dr Abdulganiyy Adekunle Salau, JP, DVM, Oloogunebi-Ajinese I towards having a modern zone in Oyo State.

Mr Raji stated this in his condolences to the Aseyin Royal Dynasty, Aseyin-in-Council, sons and daughters of Iseyin at home and abroad and the entire people of Oke Ogun over the demise of the royal father.

According to Mr Raji, Oba Dr Abdulganiyy was traditionally a special ruler whose reign brought tremendous developments to his territory and Oke Ogun in general.

He added that Aseyin left a vacuum that may likely expose Iseyin to surmountable challenges that may take time to overcome.

He hinted that the city of Iseyin was by the grace of God during the reigns of Ajinese migrated to an urban city that featured laudable legacies in terms of infrastructural and human developments.

The Senior Advocate of Nigeria described Ajinese as a worthy royal father, Leader and Patriot the entire people of Oke Ogun will forever be proud of.

He prayed to God to be with the immediate family of the late monarch, Aseyin Royal Dynasty, Aseyin-in-Council and the generality of the people of Iseyin and give them the fortitude to bear the loss.

Mr Raji prayed for forgiveness of all the shortcomings of Ajinese and reward all his good deeds with Aljannat Firdaus.

PR/Nafiu Busari

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Lifestyle

Late Aseyin was a supportive royal father – INEC

By Web News 575

The late Aseyin of Iseyin, Oba Abdulganiy Salaudeen has been described as a supportive royal father, who used to spearhead various electoral activities of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC in Oyo state.

 This is contained in a statement in Ibadan by the commission’s Administrative Secretary, Alhaji Biodun Onikate-Amosu.

Alhaji Onikate-Amosu, while commiserating with the Oyo State Traditional Council and the deceased monarch’s immediate family, said the passing away of Aseyin was a big loss to the state and INEC.

He also expressed condolences to the Iseyin indigenes and Yoruba race, praying to God to grant the repose of the soul of the departed monarch.

Nashirdeen Sherifdeen

Culture

Makinde Mourns Aseyin of Iseyin

By Web News 732

Governor ‘Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has described the death of the Aseyin of Iseyin, His Royal Majesty, Oba Dr. Abdulganiyu Adekunle Salau as shocking and painful.

The governor maintained that the passage of Oba Salau is a huge loss to the state, as the late monarch was an exemplary leader and a true believer in the progress and development of Oyo State.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, indicated that the Governor commiserated with the Aseyin-in-Council and the entire Iseyin community as well as the traditional council in the state.

Governor Makinde who described the late Aseyin as a great royal achiever, said he went about the business of developing Iseyin with the positive aggression of a change agent, who would stop at nothing to achieve his vision.

“I have been informed of the passage of the Aseyin of Iseyinland, His Royal Majesty, Oba Abdulganiyu Adekunle Salau.
“His death is another great loss among the ranks of leading traditional rulers in our dear state. This death is painful and shocking, but we can only submit to the will of the Almighty God, who alone has the power over life and death.

“Again, Oyo State has lost an exemplary royal father and a true believer in the progress and development of Oyo State.“Oba Salau worked with the vigour and aggression of a change agent, who would stop at nothing to achieve a positive turnaround of his society. He made the business of developing and repositioning Iseyin his passionate goal and he achieved same in his close to two decades of royal leadership.

“I express heartfelt condolences to the immediate family of the late Aseyin of Iseyinland, the Aseyin-in-Council and the sons and daughters of Iseyinland.

“I equally commiserate with the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs and pray to God to spare the lives of all its members.”


Iyabo Adebisi

Security

EndSARS: Monarch Calls for Social Media Regulation

By Web News 772

The Aseyin of Iseyin, Oba Abdulganiyu Salaudeen Ologunebi, Ajinnase 1 wants the police force to ensure people  that masterminded the recent end SARS protest are brought to book within the shortest period of time.

The monarch stated this while receiving the team from Abuja going round the country to access atrocities committed during the protest.

Oba Salaudeen who attributed the cause of the protest to fake stories been spread on the social media urged NCC to fashion out ways to regulate social media.

Earlier the team led by CP Yaro Abutu visited the Iseyin police station which was burnt down during the protest.

Radio Nigeria observed that twenty vehicles including  two armoured tanks, the office, all the 15 locked up shops were said to have been looted before setting them ablaze

Abisola Oluremi