UNICEF solicits Olubadan’s support for children’s rights protection 

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), has solicited the support of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Akinloye Owolabi Olakulehin, towards the protection of rights of children in the country.

A top official of the Fund, Mr. Mohammed Okorie, made the call when he led a team to the palace of the monarch in Oke Aremo, Ibadan.

Oba Olakulehin while speaking through the Maye Olubadan, Senior Chief Rasheed Olalekan Alabi, said UNICEF team made a right choice to make Olubadan as a reference point of contact to other traditional rulers in the country.

The monarch while speaking further, cited the importance of Ibadanland been the home of first in the socio, economic, political, educational, information, health care delivery and cultural development of Nigeria.

“Ibadan is the home of first in Nigeria, Ibadan has been at the forefront of political, information, social and economic development in Nigeria. To mention just a few, the first teaching hospital, University College Hospital (UCH) was established in Ibadan, the first university in Nigeria, University of Ibadan was established in 1948 and the first television station in Africa was established in Ibadan.

“Thus the aims and objectives of UNICEF towards reduction of maternal mortality, infant mortality and other social and health problems will be realised now that you have visited the Olubadan of Ibadanland”, he said.

Okorie in his remarks said the visit became necessary in order to solicit the support of the Olubadan to sensitise, mobilise and enlighten parents and guardians to ensure that the rights of children are protected.

“That every child right must be protected, that Ibadan and Oyo state residents are not accessing UNICEF services as expected, thus the need to appeal to Olubadan, Olubadan in council, Chiefs, Mogajis and Baales to sensitise and mobilise their people to make use of the facilities and opportunities provided by UNICEF.

“To ensure that pregnant expectant mothers attend ante nata care and save delivery, also, the care of the elderly persons and to impact on financial assistance to secondary health care institutions and other hospitals in general whenever the need arises.”

In a related development, the Ibadan North East local government traditional council, on Wednesday, paid a courtesy visit to Oba Olakulehin.

Senior Chief Emiola Rafiu Onideure who spoke on behalf of the traditional council described the Olubadan as a peace loving person.

“I am the Agba Akin Balogun of Ibadanland. We are here to celebrate our monarch, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Akinloye Owolabi Olakulehin for several reasons. If we want to open the book of our father, we will have many pages. Baba is a peace loving person, very prudent.

“Baba is a always a good man to every body. He is a good father fo everybody. The small time he used in Ibadan North East as Chairman of traditional council, we enjoyed him, he even deserved more than this. We just have to do something to show him that we appreciate it.”