By Maria Famakinwa
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A call has gone to residents of Ondo State to always support the government in bringing development and dividends of democracy to the people of the State.

The First Lady of the  State, Arabirin Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, made this call at Okeigbo Grammar School, Okeigbo, while commissioning modern convenience facilities built by an alumnus of the School, Dr. Felder Olatunji, in collaboration with Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu Foundation (BAAF), in order to promote good hygiene and sanitation among school children.

 Arabinrin Akeredolu, who lauded Dr. Olatunji for collaborating with BAAF in accomplishing the project, said many lives have been impacted positively by others through the support of philanthropists to actualise her dreams and wishes for the welfare of the sunshine state.

She admonished students and teachers to desist from poor sanitation in schools, noting that poor sanitation, littered environment, among others constitute nuisance to the society and therefore stressed the need to educate the public and schools on the significance of good sanitation and environment.

The First Lady maintained that the present administration remains committed to elimination of open defecation, proper hygiene and sanitation among the people and added that ideal toilet facilities in schools and communities is a must, in order to safeguard lives and maintain healthy life.

 Arabinrin Akeredolu also appealed to the people to adequately manage and sustain the project, affirming that the BAAF team will monitor and do periodic evaluation.

She further urged the students who have been taught some entrepreneurial skills like soap and Dettol making, toiletries, etc. by the BAAF team to enhance the lifespan of the project through the skills acquired.

Speaking earlier in his Palace, the Oluoke of Okeigbo, Oba Olu Babajide, lauded the Governor’s Wife for being a visionary leader who is doing marvelous jobs for the benefit of humanity.

He said the people had noted the good works executed by the wife of the Governor in providing succour to the challenges experienced by the people, especially women in their daily lives.

The Kabiyesi also thanked her for giving needed support to her husband, saying good hygiene, sanitary and intake of good food and availability of water contribute immensely to good health.

In his remarks, the sponsor of the project, Dr. Felder Olatunji, represented by Mr. Julius Adeoye, said the sponsorship of the project is borne out of Dr. Olatunji’s concern for proper hygiene, sanitation and the need to practically eradicate open defecation among school children and the general public.

He said that it will prevent communicable and incommunicable diseases among the people, promising that he will continue to support the programmes of the First  Lady to make life easy for the people. He therefore called on the people to imbibe the culture of good hygiene, proper maintenance and cleanliness, assuring that the present government in the State will bring governance to the doorstep of the people.

Reacting, the Principal of Okeigbo Grammar School, Mr. A.O. Elurele, thanked the initiator and sponsor of the project for assisting the school with the provision of modern convenient facilities, saying the project will help mitigate the spread of diseases among school children and would outrightly eliminate dangers associated with open defecation, unhygienic acts and diseases.