The Oyo State Government has attributed the zero case of cholera outbreak in the State, to its preparedness in tackling unforeseen epidemic circumstances, and its recent environmental reformations and policies.
The Oyo State Deputy Governor, Barr. ‘Bayo Lawal explained how the state was able to improve on its environmental sanitation drive, thereby resulting in a cleaner environment throughout the state.
He disclosed this during the commemoration of the year 2024 National Environmental Sanitation Day, with the theme: “Environmental Sanitation in the Era of Climate Change”.
The National Environmental Sanitation Day is held every June 28th annually to drive awareness on the need to imbibe personal and environmental hygiene among Nigerians. However, Oyo State commemorated the day on Tuesday, July 9, 2024.
Barr. Lawal said that the fear that Cholera is contagious and that it has spread to neighboring states, led to the success recorded in putting all medical personnel on red alert and making sure all suspected cases are speedily attended to.
He said the State Government has over the years embarked on several positive and monumental environmental policies, which has improved a safer environment against the impact of climate change across the nooks and crannies of the State.
He reiterated that the administration policies on zero tolerance against filth and indiscriminate refuse dumping, clearing and expansion of river channels across all the geopolitical zones are great factors.
Lawal appealed for attitudinal change among residents, urging them to prioritise healthy living against any form of communicable disease, most especially, cholera.
He charged the public, to henceforth dissuade from dumping refuse in drainages, rivers, road medians and unauthorized places, promising to consolidate on the gains so far achieved.
The Deputy Governor, who spoke on behalf of Governor Seyi Makinde, pledged to give the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, all necessary support to achieve its mandate.
He said everyone should rise to the challenges of climate change which has not spared any part of the world, calling on residents along river banks in the state to be extremely vigilant.
As the Deputy Governor flagged off the symbolic street sweeping exercise at Itesiwaju Market and Agodi car park, Ibadan, he advised the populace to always notify the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resource important information on environmental issues.
Likewise, the Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Hon. Abdulmojeed Mogbonjubola, whose Ministry championed the exercise, led the Environmental Sanitation Sensitization team to Oje market, to continue the tree planting exercise of the State Government.
Expressing satisfaction on the solidarity towards a clean and healthy environment, Architect Mogbonjubola, emphasized the significance of proper environmental sanitation to climate change.
He described a cleaner environment as a responsibility of all, and called on every member of the public, especially landlords and shop owners within the metropolis to desilt their drainages, with absolute compliance.
The exercise was attended by the State Head of Service, Mrs Olubunmi Oni, Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, Mrs Toyin Balogun among other dignitaries.
Thereafter, environmental sanitation stakeholders converged on the premises of the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, where environmental safety experts engaged them on contemporary environmental safety mechanisms.
