A Commitment to Serve
Charles Asambu writes that the First Lady of Ogun State, Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun, has kept faith with her commitment to serve women, children and the vulnerable in the society
When the present administration in Ogun State came on board on May, 29, 2019 and the Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, took the oath of office, his wife, Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun, the first lady made a commitment to the women of the state. Her mission was simple-to render support to the governor to address the challenges of the people, especially women, children and the vulnerable.
Succor for Widows
The first point of call for her was the women, especially widows. Thus, as part of efforts to reach out to this group, she organised the 2019 International Widows Day Activity for widows across the state. The event which had in attendance 1,500 widows provided an opportunity for the empowerment of widows through financial support and the provision of other items. The event which was organised a month after assuming office took place at Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta.
Health
Health-wise, the first lady also enhanced the health status of women and children, an initiative which she sees as focal point of the administration.
As Hepatitis Zero Ambassador in Nigeria, she flagged off the Hepatitis Zero Mission in the state in response to the global celebration of the 2019 World Hepatitis Day. The event provided a platform for residents to come together at the Primary Health Care Center, Ota, and not less than 100 residents were vaccinated against Hepatitis, as the exercise was free of charge.
At Ijebu Iloti, Abiodun showed concern for rural women who she described as pivotal to the economic growth and development of the state. She alluded to their strength in agriculture and small scale enterprises notwithstanding their low level of education. In a bid to strengthen their health, particularly in enhancing their sights, free eye test, treatment and eye glasses were received by the women.
In furtherance of the administration’s commitment to health, and in response to the need of the women folk, free breast and cervical cancer screening was held for not fewer than 1,500 women which cut across the three senatorial districts of the state.
Women gathered at Imeko Afon, Itori and Sagamu on October, 2019 which are locations reflecting the Ogun West, Central and East Senatorial Districts.
Caring for the Vulnerable
In the area of caring for the less privileged, and the physically challenged in the society, the first lady decided to engage the group.
According to her: “The physically challenged are integral part of the society and their interest should be put in the front burner.”
She organised a workshop for persons with disabilities. The aim of the workshop was to reassure them of government’s commitment to their needs and re-emphasise that ‘there is ability in disability.’
The workshop explained that disability is not merely physical as the World Health Organisation (WHO) sees disability as any form of incapability to meet desired objectives by an individual to the society.
Her efforts in addressing the issues of the disabled are not limited to adults in the society, she therefore thought it imperative to not only look into the welfare of the children with special needs as a mother of all in the society, but also to ensure that these children are trained in their respective schools by qualified teachers and caregivers who are expected to appreciate them and respond with the right teaching and pragmatic approaches in classes.
In February, 17-21, she organised the first ever training for need teachers in the state, given her desire to make them understand the global dynamics and tools application for effective teaching and learning.
To conduct the training, Abiodun invited a crop of professionals from the United Kingdom. The training facilitator Mrs. Sola Ogunde of Jesse Place Foundation came with her colleagues and began the training at the June12, Cultural Center, Kuto, Abeokuta.
During the training and interactive session at the Conference Hotel, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, participants broke into groups and practically demonstrated using the facilities brought in by the experts.
The governor’s wife and the resource persons responded to questions and the participants left well informed and equipped with modern teaching methods. They certainly have become passionate in teaching the children with special needs.
Education
In the area of education, Abiodun understands how knowledge can help change the economic fortunes of the state. Her passion to improving the knowledge base of the children is a pointer to the administration’s unalloyed commitment to address the issue of literacy. To her credit, 42,000 textbooks and instructional materials were donated to the state by Learn Africa Plc in a colourful event that took place at the Mitros Hall.
The books and instructional materials have been distributed and this has increased the number of books in the libraries of most schools and had greatly helped in facilitating and promoting reading culture. The latter has faded over the years among the young and the old particularly given the advent of the internet and other electronic media applications.
COVID-19 Palliatives
During the national lockdown in Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Lagos and Ogun States caused by the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic, the first lady played an important role to complement the state governor’s effort in addressing the socio-economic hardship caused by the lockdown occasioned by the novel COVID-19 pandemic. The wife of the governor supported the less privileged women, children and widows.
Abiodun distributed palliatives to widow groups, associations of persons with disabilities, vulnerable groups, Non-Governmental Organisation (NGOs), aged, youth associations and others. The items distributed were rice, beans, semolina, garri, maize, pastas, disinfectants, soap and others.
The first lady’s efforts in this regard came to fruition as she personally contacted and got responses from companies within and outside the state and religious bodies. She also supported the vulnerable, the aged, women and children, irrespective of social and political affiliations.
The routine activities of her office such as Christmas and Ileya kiddies parties were held in the year with increase in number of children that attended. She takes delight in the cultural values of our people and had been guest to most communities as a show of responsiveness to cultural heritage and its promotion. She was guest to Akesan and Isanbi Day celebrations at Iperu and Ilisan Remo.
Advocacy on Climate Change
Abiodun is passionate about the environment especially climate change. In the light of this, she effectively participated in the tree planting exercise at Ilisan High School, Ilisan, on the 20, July, 2019. At the event she said: “The future benefits of planting trees outweighed the immediate economic gain of cutting them down. For every tree cut down, five should be planted to replace it.”
Recognition
Her commitment especially her amiable nature has endeared her to quite a number of people, young and old, rich or poor and regardless of creed or religion.
Little wonder therefore that within 365 days she has enjoyed recognition by various groups and associations that include grand matron of the Girls Guide in the state and patron of Medical Women Association of Nigeria (MWAN), Ogun Chapter.
She was made the champion of the Sustainability Development Goal (SDG) by the Civil Society Coalition (CSC) for her contribution to education, social infrastructure, health, wealth generation among other goals outlined in the SDG.
She has expressed assurance to remain passionate and committed to achieving all the goals. Aside this, she was also inducted as global hepatitis eradication ambassador by the Hepatitis Zero Commission, Nigeria in recognition of her efforts at ensuring a healthy citizenry.
The Office of the First Lady wants to expand her frontiers in the area of caring for women and children and will partner with several associations and groups. A synergy is being worked out by the governor’s wife to collaborate with relevant agencies in a bid to improve on her contributions to the people of the state through her office.