By Adeyinka Adeniran
Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin has commenced an initiative advocating the construction of toilets in traditional homesteads in Ibadanland by the family heads (Mogajis).
The project which was introduced to Ibadan family heads (Mogajis) at a meeting of all Mogajis at the weekend is part of the monarch’s 90th birthday and first coronation anniversary celebration activities coming up next month.
In his address at the meeting with Mogajis at the old Olubadan Palace, Oja’ba, Ibadan, the monarch noted that the level of open defecation is worrisome, hence, the need for the directive on the construction of toilets in family compounds across Ibadanland and spearheaded by the family heads.
Speaking through Prince Folaseke Olakulehin, the monarch urged Mogajis in Ibadanland to make development and progress of Ibadanland their priority.
He said, “Health is wealth for all the residents of Ibadanland to lead a healthy life, a hygienic and clean environment through proper disposal of human wastes should be given priority attention,”
Introducing the project to the meeting, the Project Coordinator, Toye Arulogun said Oyo State is number three in Nigeria while Ibadanland is number one in Oyo State in the Open Defecation ratings. He added that the project is therefore designed by the palace to support the actualisation of the Oyo state government’s target for an Open Defecation Free state by 2028.
In his speech, the Chairman Oyo State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (OYORUWASSA), Alhaji Waheed Afobaje educated all the family heads on the need for proper human waste disposal, personal hygiene and sanitation and a clean environment.
The Chairman assured the Mogajis that RUWASSA will be providing technical support to the “toilet in agbole” initiative of the Olubadan before, during and after the construction of the toilets in the inner city dwellings especially through the facilitation of the supply of necessary construction materials, affordable methods and sustainability of the toilets.
Earlier in his welcome address, the President Association of Mogajis of Ibadanland, Mogaji Asimiyu Ariori appreciated the introduction of the project and gave the commitment as well as assurance that all Mogajis in Ibadanland will key into the project because it is a developmental initiative for Ibadanland.
He urged the Ibadan Mogajis to take proactive steps to ensure that the toilet construction project in their family homes is implemented successfully without delay as a worthy 90th birthday gift from the Olubadan of Ibadanland to the people of Ibadan.
In attendance at the meeting were representatives of the Office of the Olubadan, Executive Committee of the Ibadan Mogajis, UNICEF, RUWASA, other partnering agencies and the media.
The celebration of Olubadan’s 90th birthday and his one year coronation anniversary will take place in July, 2025 with a line up of activities to be made pubic shortly.
