By Saheed Ibrahim

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The Governor of Ondo State, Lucky  Aiyedatiwa has called on corporate bodies and institutions to rally support for  government at all levels in a bid to provide qualitative health care for all Nigerians.

The Governor made the call at Odode in Idanre Local Government area of the state where he flagged off the first quarter of 2024 NYSC Health Initiative for Rural Dwellers (HIRD) programme.

Aiyedatiwa disclosed that it is an herculean task for the government, whether at the local, state or even federal level to get the tasks of government without support.

While applauding the management of the laudable Scheme, he said that NYSC has gone a step further from her primary responsibility of integrating and uniting the country.

“It is a pleasant relief when support or partnerships such as this is being provided for by the NYSC. Our belief is that the Scheme is exceeding its primary mandate which is to practically impact the rural communities who overall, constitute majority population of the nation; to integrate our great country into one indivisible entity thereby promoting unity and oneness,” he said.

Represented by the Director, Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Mrs. Catherine Olukemi Okukpe, the Governor said that the programme is seen as an extension of the government policy on healthcare for all and sundry.

In her speech, the NYSC Ondo State Coordinator, Mrs. Victoria Nnenna Ani said that the management decided to support the government in her quest to achieve ‘Health for all’ by year 2030 in line with one of the focal programmes of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The State Coordinator hinted that to achieve this drive, the Director General massively mobilise volunteer corps medical personnel to the rural areas nationwide to provide free qualitative health services to indigent citizens and residents who ordinarily would not have been able to access medical attention as a result of neglect and remoteness of their location.

Ani thanked the Owa of Idanre-in-Council for mobilising beneficiaries to the programme as well as the Local Government for the logistical support.

The goodwill message from the Local Government was read by the Head, Local Government Administration, Mr. Ojomo Adeyemi while that of Owa of Idanre Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Oba (Dr.) Frederick Adegunle Aroloye, OFR was delivered by High Chief Lomofe Odeyemi.