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The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, has pledged his support for the United Nations Children’s Fund objectives and programmes in Oyo State.
The monarch pledged on Wednesday when the UNICEF team paid him a courtesy visit to solicit support for children’s rights in the country.
Oba Olakulehin, speaking through the Maye Olubadan, Senior Chief Lekan 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 firsts in Nigeria. The town has been at the forefront of political, social and economic development in Nigeria.
“To mention just a few, the first teaching hospital, the University College Hospital, 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 reduced maternal mortality, infant mortality and other social and health problems would be realised, now that you have visited the Olubadan of Ibadanland.”
The UNICEF team leader, Mohammed Okorie, earlier in his address, said the rationale behind the visit was to solicit the monarch’s support for the sensitisation, mobilisation and enlightenment of parents and guardians towards ensuring the protection of children’s rights.
“Ibadan and Oyo State residents are not accessing UNICEF services as expected, thus the need to appeal to the Olubadan, the Olubadan-in-council, chiefs, mogajis and baales to sensitise and mobilise their people to make use of the facilities and opportunities provided by UNICEF.
“Ensure that expectant mothers attend antenatal care for safe delivery, and the care of the elderly persons as provided by UNICEF and to impact on financial assistance to secondary healthcare institutions and other hospitals in general, whenever the need arises,” Okorie said.
