3.6m Insecticide Treated Mosquito Nets Distribution Starts In Osun

DISTRIBUTION of the 3.6m Inseccide Treated Mosquito Nets (ITNs) has commenced yesterday across local governments in the State of Osun.

The ITNs will be distributed to households in the state between July 6 and 17, 2023.

Speaking during the official flag-off of the net distribu on held at the State Secretariat, Abere, on Wednesday, the State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, admonished residents to collect and use the nets as a matter of necessity, urging them to make themselves available during the exercise.

Adeleke who was represented by his deputy, Prince Kola Adewusi, noted that malaria remains one of the foremost killers of children worldwide, adding that his administra on was ready to deepen ac vi es to reverse the trend.

He said: “Malaria remains one of the foremost killers of children worldwide. Osun State under our watch is ready to deepen ac vi es to reverse this trend.

“We, therefore, welcome every support towards malaria control in our State. We have the poli cal will and commitment.

“We will con nue to judiciously u lise resources we receive and to complement them with resources of our own. Our team are commi ed professionals who are delivering on the mandate.”

Earlier in the campaign team advocacy visit to the Governor on Tuesday, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health, Engineer Funsho Adebiyi, sought the assistance of the state government in co-financing the control of malaria in the state.

Adebiyi who was represented by Mr Chukwu Okworonko, stated that the state needed to provide 15 per cent of the total fund support which amounts to N266m annually.

He appealed to the state governor to ensure that residents of the state do not only collect the net but also ensure its proper usage. He said: “We need your support. We requested that there should be a co-financing from the state government and that co-financing is about 15 per cent of the total grant money including the cost of these ac vi es.”

The Net Ambassador for the state, Chief Mrs Ti lola Adeleke, promised to mobilize all the Net Advocates in the local government areas who will in turn mobilise the people at the grassroots to collect the nets.

“I am delighted to stand in your midst as the Net Ambassador for Osun State. I promise to use different channels and resources to disseminate messages on the use of the insec cide mosquito nets to ensure that families protect themselves from mosquito bites by sleeping inside the nets every night.

“I urge you the people of Osun State to make yourselves available at home, provide correct informa on to the mobilisers and distributors, be registered and given nets,” she stated.

The Campaign Manager for the distribu on, John Ocholi, urged the beneficiaries to spread the net under shade for 24 hours before using, adding that they were safe and effec ve to protect all members of the family from mosquito bites which transmit the parasite that causes malaria.

In their separate remarks, Dr Emma Obi of Catholic Relief Services and Dr Anthony Nwala, Assistant Chief Programme

Quality Officer of Society for Family Health called on residents to ensure they use the insec cide treated nets a er collec on, saying its health benefits cannot be underes mated.

Speaking with the medium, one of the beneficiaries in Iwo, State of Osun, on Thursday, Alhaja Ganiyu Lateefat, appreciated the donor for their gesture, promising to make proper use of the nets.

A resident of Kuta in the Ayedire local government of the State, Sodiq Adebanjo, noted that he was also a beneficiary during the last exercise, adding that he had not been treated for malaria since he started sleeping inside the mosquito net.

TAIWO ZACCHEAUS OLUKAYODE

That I was formerly known and addressed as TAIWO ZACCHAEUS OLUKAYODE, now wish to be known and addressed as TAIWO ZACCHEAUS OLUKAYODE. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.