The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin Ige, has stated that he will support the realisation of the United Nations Children Funds’ objectives in Oyo State.
The Olubadan gave his word on Wednesday when the UNICEF team paid him a courtesy visit to solicit his support for the protection of children’s rights in the country.
The monarch while speaking through the Maye Olubadan, Chief Olalekan Alabi, at the Oke Aremo palace, Ibadan, said the choice of the Olubadan as a reference point of contact with other traditional rulers in the country, was a step in the right direction.
The monarch said, “Ibadan is the home of first in Nigeria. Ibadan has been at the forefront of political, information, social, and economic development in Nigeria.
”To mention just a few, the first teaching hospital, the University College Hospital (UCH) was established in Ibadan, the first university in Nigeria, the University of Ibadan was established in 1948, and the first television station in Africa was established in Ibadan.
“Thus, the objectives of UNICEF towards the reduction of maternal mortality, infant mortality, and other social and health problems will be realised now that you have visited the Olubadan of Ibadanland.”
The UNICEF’s team leader, Mohammed Okorie, earlier in his address, said the rationale behind the visit was to solicit the monarch’s support for sensitization, mobilisation, and enlightenment of parents and guardians towards ensuring the protection of children’s rights.
“That every child’s right must be protected. Ibadan and Oyo State residents are not accessing UNICEF services as expected, thus a need to appeal to the Olubadan, Olubadan-in-council, chiefs, mogajis, and baales to sensitise and mobilize their people to make use of the facilities and opportunities provided by UNICEF.
“Ensure that expectant mothers attend antenatal care, save delivery, and the care of the elderly persons. And to impact on financial assistance to secondary healthcare institutions and other hospitals in general whenever the need arises,” Okorie said.
