"SAVE" Rally - Oyo State
Post date: Oct 12, 2009 11:33:21 PM
SAVE RALLY REPORT FOR OYO-STATE:
The “SAVE” rally held in Oyo State on the 17 May 2010, was a tremendous success and received support from the community and the government including the Legislators, Oyo State First lady and the Commissioner for Health. The aim of the rally was to raise awareness of the increasing maternal deaths in Africa and to call on the government to take immediate action to eradicate maternal deaths in the State.
Among participants of the rally were sister NGOs including the Christian Care for Widows, Aged and Orphans; and Widows Concern & Orphans Rights Advocacy, who showed maximum support in the planning and implementation of the rally.
According to the “SAVE” State Coordinator, Barbara Ayodeji Okoruwa, “the procession commenced from the Association of Family & Reproductive Health premises near Ikolaba Grammar School, Ibadan from where a procession was led to the Her Excellency's office, the wife of the Oyo-State governor, Chief Mrs. Oluwakemi Alao-Akala , where we were told she was attending the function of the International Day of the Family at the Premier Hotel Ibadan. We then headed off to meet with her – at the Premier Hotel, we had series of interviews with the press which provided a media platform to broadcast the objectives and mission of the “SAVE” campaign.”
“We also had the opportunity of meeting with the speaker of the Oyo-State House of Assembly, Mr. Maroof Akintola and the Legislators.”
“The legislators were pleased with the objectives of the “SAVE” campaign and indeed, affirmed that the Oyo state government is taking proactive measures to eradicate maternal deaths in the state. In fact, the legislators were delighted to inform the “SAVE” entourage that a bill has been passed by the House to eradicate maternal mortality in the state.”
“After meeting with the legislators, the rally train proceeded to the Ministry of Health, where we met with the Hon. Commissioner For Health, Babalola Owolabi, and the 33 Local Government health inspectors. They highly received us and commended the “SAVE” Campaign initiative, and encouraged us to keep up the good work done for humanity.”
We are delighted with the success of the “SAVE” Campaign in Oyo State. We wish to thank all organizations and individuals who contributed time and resources in making the “SAVE” rally a brilliant success.