Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has reiterated the efforts of his administration in promoting health sectors in the state.
The Governor who was represented by the state Commissioner for Government House and Protocol, Hon Soji Ajeigbe at the Opening Ceremony of the Environmental Health Officers Association of Nigeria (EHOAN), Osun State Chapter’s 2024 Environmental Health Week/Scientific Conference held at Leisure Spring Hotels in Osogbo said, he will not rest on his oars in promoting health sectors saying the welfare of the people he govern is paramount to him.
Governor Adeleke who Congratulated the entire environmental officers on the celebration of their week enjoined them to continue to collaborate with the state government in creating zero tolerance for bad environment in order to avert epidemic diseases in the state.
In his welcome address, the Osun State President of the EHOAN, Sanitarian Ola Sunday Olufemi, commended the governor for the provision of potable water for the citizens of the state.
Sanitarian Olufemi who lauded Governor Adeleke for the provision of 332 boreholes in all political wards of the state to celebrate his 100 days in office spoke volumes of premium placed on people’s lives. He said efforts are all ongoing to providing additional 332. He admonished the people to always be hygienic and stop dropping waste into the stream and water ways now that we are in the rainy season as Osun is one of the most cleanest states in Nigeria.
The Osun EHOAN President used the medium to appeal to the Governor to employ more Environmental Health Officers as they needed more hands to replace the retired and retiring officers to enhance their effectiveness and productivity, adding that, environmental health is one of the largest fields within public health because of the myriad ways external forces can impact how people eat, live and grow.
In his goodwill message, the EHOAN South-West President, Sanitarian. Dr. Tope Akinwumi assured Governor Adeleke’s led administration the readiness of the EHOAN to continue to support the state government in managing the environment.
Dr Akinwumi who appealed to Governor Adeleke not to take the employment of more environmental health officers with levity hand said the association also needs adequate funding to attract their productivity.
Other people with their goodwill messages includes, the state Commissioner for Environment and Sanitation, Hon Mayowa Adejorin, who lauded the Osun EHOAN for their unrelented efforts in supporting the state government in having good environment reiterated government commitment to promotion and advocacy of environmental health.
Hon Adejorin promised to discuss the issue of the employment of more environmental health officers with Mr Governor.
In his goodwill message, State Commissioner for Water Resources, Hon Sunday Oroniyi who also commended the State EHOAN for the celebration of her week emphasized the connectivities between water supply, sanitation and hygiene.
The events to commemorate the week began with awareness/sensitization at Osun State Broadcasting Corporation, OSBC Radio Programme, “Eroya” and Rave FM on the need to maintain a hygienic environment, followed by a clean-up exercise of the major roads at Ila, Osogbo and Odo-Otin Local Governments area of the state, followed by the excursion to Osun Osogbo grove.
The week was rounded off with a colourful and well attended dinner and merit award.
The theme for this year’s celebration is Water Supply, Environmental Sanitation and Hygiene ; Key Factors to Quality.