IBADAN/Nigeria: Oyo State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Prince Dotun Oyelade has initiated a significant collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) by kick-starting the Oyo State Social Mobilization Technical Committee.
The Committee, which had been dormant since 2018, was officially relaunched at the Ministry of Information and Orientation’s Secretariat in Ibadan.
During the relaunch event held in his office, Commissioner Oyelade outlined the Ministry’s plans to team up with relevant agencies to conduct impactful public awareness campaigns. A primary focus of these efforts will be to provide proper orientation to households, emphasizing disease prevention for children and women in communities across Oyo State that are affected.
In conjunction with other ministries, departments, and agencies, Prince Oyelade expressed the Ministry’s commitment to intervene in promoting the well-being of children throughout the state. The relaunch event drew key stakeholders, including the UNICEF Social Behavioural Change Specialist and representatives from media houses and various government entities, who agreed to hold quarterly meetings to coordinate their efforts.
“We will cooperate with you and ensure everything within the purview of our job is done with utmost zeal,” assured Commissioner Oyelade.
The UNICEF Social Behavioural Change Specialist, Aderonke Akinola-Akinwole, expressed optimism that the quarterly meetings would foster positive attitudinal changes among parents and caregivers, leading to a healthier Oyo State. Akinola-Akinwole called on all relevant stakeholders to collaborate closely with UNICEF and the Ministry of Information and Orientation to achieve this new goal.
In attendance at the relaunch event were the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Orientation, Dr. Taiwo Ladipo, along with other directors. Earlier in the day, Commissioner Oyelade had met with the Ministry’s management team, led by Dr. Taiwo Ladipo, who praised Oyelade’s expertise, integrity, courage, and experience, seeing him as the ideal candidate to oversee the affairs of the Oyo State Ministry of Information and Orientation.
Prior to his current position, Prince Dotun Oyelade served as the Chairman of the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State (BCOS), Ibadan. Now, he is poised to spearhead efforts to improve child well-being in Oyo State, in collaboration with UNICEF and various stakeholders.
