University Of Ibadan, Oyo Government Advocate Food Safety, Hygiene 

This was declared during a one-day workshop, organised for commercial food vendors within the campus, held on the University of Ibadan (UI) campus.

The workshop was declared open by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Kayode Adebowale, who was represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic, Prof. Aderonke Baiyeroju.

Prof. Baiyeroju disclosed, at the event, that the University Management gave every needed support to the UHS to organise the workshop because it appreciates the value of good health and staff well-being.

In her remarks, the Director of the UHS, Dr. Aderonke Ajav, noted that the aim of the workshop is to begin an institutional journey to increase the health levels of all members of the university community by supporting one another to intentionally shun bad practices and imbibe best practices.

Recalling that the UHS had conducted a training for food vendors a few years ago, but the effort was not sustained, Ajav revealed that the expected outcome of the training is that food vendors would be in a better position to cater to and satisfy different categories of food needs, including those of minority groups.

She said the programme would make UI the hub for training of food vendors and empower the society at large to correctly and adequately address current and emerging issues in food safety and hygiene.

At the training, a Nutritionist/Registered Dietitian/Chief Nursing Officer, Bosede Adebayo-Oke delivered a lecture on: Necessity of Healthy Eating and Consequences of Unhealthy Eating Habits, while another Nutritionist, Morenike Okeya, gave a talk on: the Right Use of Fruits and Vegetables.

Likewise, an expert in organic production and utilisation, Prof. O. Adeoluwa, delivered a lecture on: Availability and Advantages of Organic Products, as Dr A. Ogunleye of the Department of Veterinary Microbiology, gave a talk on: Food Biosecurity and Biosafety, while Mrs Folasade Oladele, Head, School Health Unit, Oyo State Ministry of Health, spoke on Training and Health Check for Food Vendors.

Participants at the workshop included commercial food vendors/handlers on campus, health commissioners of the various halls of residence, faculty presidents of students associations, hall wardens, wellness officers, representatives of religious bodies and staff unions, members of the Abadina Community, organic farmers, and the team from the Schools Health Unit, Ministry of Health, Oyo State.

Health checks were conducted for participants, and there were ample opportunities for questions and answers.

At the end of the training, participants agreed to implement all recommendations and sanctions for non-compliance. Certificates were presented to all registered participants.