SAVE Programs in Osun State - A Huge Success!!

PROGRESS REPORT

The Sweet Mother International (SMI) projects in Osun State are progressing well.

Support for the 'Save African Women from Pregnancy-Related Deaths' (“SAVE”) program has been overwhelming.

In fact, the program is enjoying the support of the following organizations and very important personalties:

• • The Ataoja of Osogbo, the Paramount traditional ruler of Osogbo, Osun State.

  • The Osun Chapter of the National Association of Women Journalist (NAWOJ), a very influential group in Osun.

  • The Nigerian Civil Defence Corps, Osun Command.

  • The Grace Bible Mission.

  • The 7Up Bottling Company, Ilorin, Kwara State.

  • The Osun State Commandant of the Nigerian Civil Defence.

Of note is the special funds raised by the Grace Bible Mission to support the SMI programs . Also, the Ilorin, Kwara State Plant of 7Up Bottling Company is sponsoring part of the SAVE programs in Osun State.  Goodwill support and donations have been received from community members and members of the SMI Team in Osun State.

The Nigerian Civil Defence has delegated some of their senior officers to assist in the administration of SMI activities.

Some Parliamentarians have expressed their interest to assist SMI in putting forward an action plan to address the issue of maternal mortality at the Senate and National Assembly.

Local Government Areas (LGA) Coordinators have been appointed to oversee the smooth administration and effective implementation of the SMI programs within their local communities. Meetings to brainstorm on a unified action plan is ongoing in eight LGA of the State.

Overall, the support for the SMI and SAVE program has been wonderful.

We wish to express our profound gratitude to all the individuals, industries and various government and non-governmental organizations supporting us.

Blessings to you all and with your continuing support, we shall progressively achieve great successes for humanity. Together, we shall  eradicate maternal deaths in Osun State.

We will keep you updated on our progress. Please, visit this page again.

Thank You.

At Ataoja's Palace, High Chiefs  Jagun & Baba Kekere pose with SMI after a courtesy call.

            Campaign by an SMI Volunteer at a market place in Osogbo, Osun State.

At Ladoke Akintola University Teaching Hospital.

Representatives of the Chief Medical Director and the PRO pose with SMI members & coordinators.

The rally to 'Save African Women from Pregnancy-Related Deaths' (“SAVE”) was successfully held in Osun State.

The rally started by 11am at the Palace of the Ataoja, the 1st class Royal father in the state capital. The aged Monarch asked his high chiefs, Jagun and Baba kekere, his second in command to meet Sweet Mother Crew. Impressed by our presentation, they requested that we pay another visit where all 62 High chiefs in the clan from the nooks and cranies of Osun will meet with us, date fixed. The Jagun of Osogbo, one of the high chiefs expressed that the coming of SMI is timely because their people commit so much suicide by going to quacks as a result of poverty and poor condition of living. He also berated government's insensitivity from the federal to the lowest ebb.

It was a mamoth crowd at Oja Oba central Market the first major market where our campaign first reached. After that we went to three other markets, Orisumbara, Igbona and Oluode. Market women expressed high hope in SMI and promised to cooperate with us on our mission.

After a long road walk in company of 7Up Depot Manager in Osun State, along majo streets from Ayetoro, Olonkoro, Okefia, Oke Oniti, Old Garage, we went to the Chief Medical Director of Ladoke Akintola University Teaching Hospital, LAUTECH, where the CMD delegated the hospitals PRO and PA to the Chief Medical Director (CMD), Mrs Adesugba to address us. He acquainted us of a similar fund to help the less privileged, initiated by the hospital called APO AANU, literally meaning "Mercy Funds" especially for pregnant women. We ended at the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre. The Chairman of NUJ and a representative of the National Association of Women Journalists spoke to the crew of Sweet Mother International, Osun Chapter and promised their support for the SMI-SAVE programs.

The rally was a hugely successful. Thanks to everyone who supported, together we shall save Osun women from avoidable pregnancy related deaths.

Cross Section of Community and Grace Bible Mission Members at a prayer session dedicated to pray for the success of  SMI-SAVE program in Osun State.