— Every child should be given quality education – UNICEF

By Ebi Owei

Ondo State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr. Donald Ojogo has proposed for the inclusion of  Ijaw Language in Facts for Life awareness radio programme.

In a piece from the Ministry of Information and Orientation and made available by Sola Omoboyowa, the proponent said the call was pertinent for better understanding of the people at the coaster area of the state.

The source divulged that the Commissioner disclosed his proposal at a one-day media dialogue organised for broadcast media practitioners, particularly  radio stations.

It was gathered that the programme was organised by UNICEF in collaboration with Ondo State Ministry of Information held in Akure, the state capital.

According to Ojogo, the state government and UNICEF have enjoyed a robust relationship that positively impacted in the living standard of the people in the state.

“The Ministry of Information and Orientation is one of the line Ministries and Agencies of government in the state that implement UNICEF supported programme such as paintings on hygiene and sanitation in public schools and health facilities,” Ojogo said.

He however pointed out that one hundred and twenty(120) wall paintings on hygiene and sanitation, four paintings on exclusive breastfeeding have been carried out across the three Senatorial Districts of the State, which he said was aimed at propagating hygienic living of the people.

The Commissioner stressed that the radio programme on Facts for Life  was produced by the Ministry in conjunction with UNICEF, which was designed to educate the people about key household practices that need to be imbibed by everyone in the community at large, in order to prevent communicable diseases and infant mortality.

He noted that fifty two episodes of the programme were developed on four household practices which include immunization, sanitation, nutrition and care of newborn.

He added that all the episodes had been aired on the State owned radio station –  Orange 94.5 FM, Akure, at no cost and HOPE 89.1 FM, a radio station owned by Babcock University, Ilishan, Ogun State.

Ojogo further explained that fifty two episodes in Yoruba Language have been produced and Orange FM  has commenced airing in July 2019, noting that the media advocacy on Facts for Life would expand media partnership in propagating the message in the best interest of the people of the state.

In her address, the Akure Field Chief of UNICEF, Dr. Laxmi Bhawani, appreciated Ondo State government for supporting the International Organisation in promoting hygienic living of the people. She said children should be protected against all forms of violence and child abuse.

The UNICEF Chief added that children must be given adequate health care and proper nutrition, stressing that government has a role to play at ensuring  every child is given quality education, because it is their right to be in school.

Bhawani maintained that the Facts for Life on radio has impacted positively in the living standard of the people because the people are well informed on hygienic living through enlightenment.

The UNICEF Chief also charged the media to play a vital role in the dissemination of information to the people on importance of keeping the environment clean.