NGOs, Osun Health Team Visit Osun Defender, Seek Collaboration

A team from the Osun State Ministry of Health, a Non-Governmental Organisation, The Challenge Initiative (TCI) and Network as well as a media-development and capacity-building organisation, Development Communications Network (DevComs) on Monday paid an advocacy visit to the management of Moremi Publishing House Limited, Publishers of Osun Defender Newspaper.

The visit, according to the team, was to appreciate Osun Defender for its wide reportage of health news, especially family planning in Osun State.

Speaking during the visit, the state Family Planning Coordinator, Mrs Ololade Abatan, appreciated the organisation for its role in propagating the need for women to embrace family planning.

Mrs Abatan who noted that the state government has and is ready to prioritise the health of its citizens’ urged media organisations not to relent in getting the residents informed at all times.

In his words, Devcom Media Officer, Mr. Mayowa Adeniran explained that apart from visiting to appreciate the organisation for its role in informing the general populace, they were also seeking collaboration to get more people informed.

Adeniran said a three-day training will be conducted for selected journalists in the state on media advocacy for family planning.

Responding, the Chief Executive Officer, Moremi Publishing House Limited, Prince Kanmi Ademiluyi emphasised the need for Nigerians to prioritise their health.

Prince Ademiluyi, who promised the organisation’s support for the team, said that unlike Nigeria, the budget for the health sector was always given priority abroad.

Also, the Deputy Editor of the newspaper, Mr. Ismaeel Uthman said the organisation is always on top in the area of health, community development, and environmental issues.

Others in the team are; The State Health Promotion Officer, Mrs Bukola Oyelere; State Adolescent and Youth Sexual Reproductive Desk Officer, Mrs Roseline Akinlabi; Mr Ola Rotimi from The Challenge Initiative and Miss Oluremi Serrano.