Lassa fever: Ondo Govt Seeks Traditional Rulers’ Support on Sensitization

The Ondo State Deputy Governor, Honourable Agbools Ajayi has implored traditional rulers to join hands with government to enlighten the people about how to prevent the spread of Lassa Fever in the state.

The deputy Governor made call today when he paid a coutesy visit yo the Osemawe of Ondo Kingdom while the monthly environmental sanitation exercise in the city.

Honourable Ajayi said royal fathers are closer to the people than anyone else.

“I have come with a mandate from Governor Akeredolu, who greets you warmly.
The govern.ent needs your support to enlighten and make the people aware of the dangers in unhygienic way of life. This way of life is the cause of the deadly Lassa Fever.
We need to let farmers and food sellers know the danger inherent in drying foodstuffs such as garri in the open field or space.
Rats get attracted to these places to eat the raw food items and drop their waste there.

We are sppealing to royal fathers to please, use your influence and reach to get across to your people that this preventable spread of Lassa fever does not get here.”

He commended Ondo kingdom for complying with the exercise and the neat environment.

“I am highly impressed with the turnout of the people on this day. They have conducted themselves in a manner acceptable to the government.
Every where is clean.
Ondo indigenes know the importance of cleanliness”

In response, Oba Victor Kiladejo promised to use all the four Radio Station in the city to raise people’s awareness on Lassa Fever.

“Aside the conventional media, I will bring the matter up at our weekly meetings cimprising myself, the Baale’s, olojas, the High Chiefs and the subjects.”

The Deputy Governor accompanied by the Commissioner for Environment, Mr Funso Esan and Chairman Akure South Local Government Area, Mrs Margret Atere also visited Aponmu, where he frowned at the level of their compliance with the exercise. While admonishing them to take the issue of hygiene serious, he said:

“Cleanliness is next to godliness. We must take environmental sanitation serious for it is in our best interest to do so.
The major cause of Lassa Fever is our way of life, how we prepare our food.
Let us improve the way we process our foods.
You should not court danger by exposing the food we want to eat or sell in the sun.
This can lead to easy contamination by rats and otherm mammals.

He assured the people that their immediate needs will get government attention.

“The state government will give attention to your road soon.
We are going to rehabitate your road and also mandate Akure South Local Government has to build the market here for your use.

At Owena, Honourable Ajayi ordered the release of many, who were arrested by the task force for choosing to be at the weekly market instead of cleaning their environment..

“Let this be a warning to all of you violating environmental sanitation laws.
Another time, we might not be this magnanimous.
Cooperate with government to make our state a model.”

On the report that herdsmen were disturbing the people, he assured:

The government has set up a committee to look into the causes of conflict between farmers and herdsmen and proffer lasting solutions.
You must maintain the cordial relationship between yourselves as law abiding citizens by maintainng the peace.
Ondo State should not be turned to a battle ground.”

The deputy governor also visited Sabo in Ondo, where he sensitized the people on ways of preventing the lassa fever.