Wife of the Osun State governor, Mrs Titilola Adeleke has lauded the collaborative efforts of the Federal Ministry of Health, Society for Family Health, Catholic Relief Services and the Osun State Ministry of Health for partnering to combat malaria through the provision of insecticide treated nets.
She gave the commendation in Osogbo during her investiture as the 2023 Net Ambassador for Osun State.
The insecticide treated nets are provided free to all households to protect residents from mosquito bites and subsequently eradicate malaria, the most common public Health problem in Nigeria.
Malaria affects almost all Nigerians, especially children under five years of age, as well as pregnant women.
Consequently, Mrs Adeleke urged residents to take the exercise seriously, just as she used the medium to advise all adults, especially pregnant women as well as children to ensure families are protected from mosquito bites by sleeping inside the nets.
She further admonished Osun residents to provide correct data to the mobilisers and distributors when visited at home.
Adeleke said residents would be registered and given nets, stating that mobilisation and distribution period would be from 6th- 17th July, 2023.
In a remark, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr Isiaka Adekunke commended the initiative of appointing the Net Ambassador or the Brand Ambassador of Net Distribution Campaign, describing the move as a step towards achieving mass distribution of the long lasting insecticide treated nets in Osun State.
Adekunle expressed hope that as the Net Ambassador, the governor’s wife will use her position and influence in the society to encourage adults, children and pregnant women to key into the net distribution campaign.
Also speaking, wife of the Ooni of Ife, Olori Temitope Ogunwusi urged the residents of Osun State to embrace the programme, stressing that malaria, being a deadly disease, needs to be totally eradicated. She promised to put in her best to support the program in term of advocacy.
Also speaking, the Society for Family Health Campaign Manager, Dr John Ocholi maintained that the use of the insecticide treated nets was mandatory for every household in the state if the goal of eradicating malaria is to be achieved.
Confidence Okwuchi
