Child’s Rights: UNICEF Solicits Support of Traditional Rulers

By Olubunmi Osoteku 

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), has solicited the support of traditional rulers in Nigeria, through the Olubadan of Ibadanland, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Akinloye Owolabi Olakulehin, towards the protection of the rights of children in the country, particularly in Oyo State.

While on a visit to the Olubadan Palace, Oke Aremo, Ibadan, the UNICEF team leader, Mohammed Okorie, said the purpose of the visit is to solicit the support of the Olubadan to sensitise, mobilise and enlighten other traditional rulers, parents and guardians to ensure that the rights of children are protected.

He noted: “That Ibadan and Oyo State residents are not accessing UNICEF services as expected, thus the need to appeal to the 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-natal care and have safe delivery. To also ensure the care of elderly persons and impact on the financial assistance to secondary health care institutions and other hospitals in general whenever the need arises.”

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In his response, the Olubadan, who spoke through the Maye Olubadan, Senior Chief Olalekan Alabi, said the UNICEF team made a right choice to make Olubadan a reference point of contact to other traditional rulers in the country.

The monarch cited the importance of Ibadanland being the home of firsts in the socioeconomic, political, educational, information, health care delivery and cultural development of Nigeria.

He stated: “Ibadan is the home of firsts in Nigeria. To mention just a few, the first teaching hospital, the University College Hospital (UCH) was established in Ibadan; the first university in Nigeria, the 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,” the monarch promised.