By; NIYI OGUNGBOLA,Abeokuta
The Ogun State Government has said that it is determined to sustain the empowerment of women of reproductive age and families with the provision of quality family planning services to further increase the health indices of the State.
Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker made this known in Abeokuta, at the ‘End of Project Dissemination’ organised by The Challenge Initiative (TCI), a development partner on reproductive health, saying the State is poised to provide affordable, qualitative and efficient health care delivery for the people.
Coker, in a statement signed by PHCDB’s Press Officer, Mrs. Yemisi Fashola, noted that Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) across the State had been renovated, equipped and staffed to meet the daily health needs of people in various communities, adding that human and material resources for family planning services were also imbedded in the centres.
“This is not the end of our family planning programme in the State, rather it is a transition to self-reliance. I want to assure you that our women will not die as a result of pregnancy-related complications. We will ensure that we improve on the present Contraceptive Prevalence Rate which is at 32 percent”, Coker assured.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary, Primary Health Care Development Board, Dr. Elijah Ogunsola said the State had drawn a strategic plan to enhance family planning programming, noting that support received from the partner over the four-year period would assist in improving the welfare of women of reproductive age.
On his part, the Director, The Challenge Initiative (TCI), Nigeria, Dr. Victor Igharo commended the government for showing interest in improving its family planning indices, saying the organisation would continue to give technical backing to stimulate demand for family planning uptake.
Igharo added that its four-year period partnership with the State has made high impact intervention in key areas of demand generation, service delivery, advocacy, as well as monitoring and evaluation.
Highlight of the event was the presentation of award to Dr. Coker for her immeasurable contribution to sustaining family planning and reproductive health intervention in the State and certificate of recognition to groups, including Inter-Faith, Advocacy Working Group and other State officers.
Ogun PCRC Honours CP Ajogun, Installs Bode Mustapha As Grand Patron
The Chairman, Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), Ogun State, Ven. Dr. Kunle Popoola has described the immediate past Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Edward Awolowo Ajogun (psc, Rtd) as a gallant police officer who has made indelible impacts in the police profession.
Ven. Popoola made this known at a sent forth celebration organized by the PCRC members in the state to honour the seasoned crime buster and Commissioner of Police who recently retired after meritorious service to the Nigeria Police Force with a high sense of commitment.
The event which was held at the Valley View Auditorium, Government House, Isale Igbein, Abeokuta also witnessed the investiture of High Chief Bode Mustapha as the PCRC Grand Patron.
According to Ven Popoola, “CP Ajogun is a gallant Police Officer with impeccable and intimidating records. That’s the reason we are honouring and celebrating him.
“His reign in the state changed so many things, and as we fast-tracked positive developments”
“For the first time in so many years, we have the opportunity of celebrating somebody who has done so well for us in the security architecture here in Ogun State”
“When a man is diligent at his work, the Bible says he will dine with kings and not mere mortals and that’s what we are seeing here today”
“CP Ajogun has excelled professionally, a man who’s a community police par – excellence, always available to listen, deligent to duty without hindrance and brought the PCRC closer to the people in Ogun State, he added.
In his speech, the guest speaker and the recipient of the PCRC Grandrand Patron Award, High Chief Bode Mustapha who spoke on topic titled: “Mid-wifing The Police Of Our Dreams In A Democratic Setting”, noted that the relationship between the police and the public has been stained of late, with increase in criminal activities across the country to accusations of fundamental rights abuses.
He however berates the low funding and staffing of the Nigerian Police, adding that the ratio of officers to citizens is 1:600, meaning that an officer is expected to police about 600 citizens.
