WHAT IS CHOLERA

Cholera is a sudden illness that happens when a person accidentally ingests (swallows) Vibrio cholerae (V. cholerae) bacteria. When the bacteria infect a person’s intestines, they can cause very bad diarrhea and dehydration.

These complications can sometimes lead to death.

The bacterial infection usually happens in places without modern systems for sewage and clean water

Cholera outbreaks are common in warm climates. Outbreaks sometimes happen after natural disasters, like earthquakes and hurricanes. These disasters can damage sewage systems.

Symptoms and Causes

Cholera comes from the V. cholerae bacteria. People infected with these bacteria can spread disease through their feces. They do so when infected feces get into the water system. If the water isn’t properly sanitized  people using the water to drink, cook and wash risk exposure.

When a person eats or drinks food or water that contains V. cholerae, the bacteria grow inside them. The bacteria then make the small intestines secrete (leak) fluid, leading to diarrhea.

Cholera usually doesn’t spread directly from person to person, but it can. So it’s very important to wash your hands to prevent infection.

Some people have gotten cholera from eating seafood.

Symptoms of Cholera

Cholera infection can be mild, with no symptoms. But about 10% of infected people develop severe symptoms, 12 hours to five days after ingesting the bacteria. These symptoms include:

• Diarrhea, or extremely watery poop.
• Intense thirst.
• Lower amounts of urine
• Muscle cramps.
• Restlessness or irritability.
• Vomiting.
• Weakness.

If you develop any of these cholera symptoms, immediately contact a hospital because dehydration can become deadly very quickly.

Early treatment can save your life.

What problems can cholera cause?

Diarrhea and vomiting from cholera can make your body lose large amounts of important substances:

• Electrolytes.
• Fluids.
• Sodium.
• Potassium.

When your body doesn’t have enough of those things, you get dehydrated and may develop the following:

• Dry mucous membranes (such as in the eyes, nose and mouth).
• Fast heart rate.
• Hypokalemia (low potassium levels in the blood).
• Hypotension (low blood pressure).
• Loss of the natural stretchiness in skin.
• Untreated, severe dehydration from cholera can lead to:
• Kidney failure.
• Shock.

Anyone with cholera should immediately replace the fluids and salts they’ve lost.

If you’re in an area with cholera cases, certain strategies can help prevent infections:

• Use clean, running water only
• Don’t eat raw or undercooked seafood.
• Drink water only if it’s bottled, canned, boiled or treated with certain chemicals. And don’t drink out of a bottle or can with a broken seal.
• Make sure foods eaten are freshly, hygienically cooked and served hot.
• Consider disinfecting your water: Boil it for at least one minute.
• Wash fruits and vegetables with clean water.

Wash your hands with soap and clean running water, especially before handling and eating food and after using the bathroom. If clean water and soap aren’t available, use hand sanitizer made of at least 60% alcohol.

Wash your hands often.

Together we can end the scourge of cholera in our communities

MINISTRY OF WOMEN AFFAIRS & SOCIAL INCLUSION

Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde has affirmed that the future of Nigeria as a nation depends on the quality of education and skills we provide for our children.

Speaking on Monday at the Lekan Salami Sports Complex Adamasingba, Ibadan during the year 2024 National Children’s Day Celebration, Governor Makinde noted that it takes the collective responsibility to ensure that our children receive the best possible start in life.

He maintained that education is the foundation upon which our children’s future success is built.

Governor Makinde who was ably represented at the event by Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, Hon (Mrs.) Toyin Balogun said, “The future of our nation depends on the quality of education and skills we provide to our young ones. It is our collective responsibility to ensure they receive the best possible start in life as quality education is the foundation upon which our children’s future success is built. It is the key to unlock their potentials, fostering critical thinking, creativity and innovation.”

“Education empowers them to make informed decisions, adapt to an ever-changing world, and become active contributors to our society.”

“However, education alone is not enough, skill acquisition is equally vital in today’s fast-paced, technology-driven world, our children need to be equipped with practical skills that meet the demands of the 21st century. They must be able to problem-solve, communicate effectively and be digitally literate.”

“It is pertinent to state that the reality is that many Nigerian children are denied this fundamental right, they face numerous barriers, including inadequate infrastructure, outdated curriculum and insufficient resources. This is unacceptable. Every child deserves access to quality education and skills training, regardless of their background, location or socio-economic status.

In addition, African parents sometimes expose their children to child labour, kidnapping, rape, malnutrition and all forms of abuse. A lot has to be put in place, to help break the vicious cycle of inequality among all groups of children. The world of tomorrow cannot prosper if children of today are not healthy, educated and protected because lack of investment in quality services for children are one of the key barriers that prevent many children from reaching their full potentials.

I would therefore urge us all to put all hands on deck and commit to improving access to quality education, especially in underserved areas, invest in teacher training and development, to provide resources and infrastructure for schools, promote inclusive and equitable education, encourage skills acquisition through vocational training and extracurricular activities, foster partnership between schools, communities and organizations.”

“It is pertinent to mention that the Oyo State Government under the current administration has been proactive in the promotion of quality education and skills development of children in the State, most especially orphans and vulnerable children in the State through the following intervention programmes which are:

1. Increased access to quality education at primary and secondary levels for all eligible Oyo State children
2. Encouraging private providers to provide quality and affordable education to children of Oyo State
3. Provision of scholarship for brilliant students to encourage competition in public schools
4. Giving waivers to children most especially the vulnerable and less privileged ones to access free quality education and health services in the State
5. Rescue and placement of abused children to enable them receive care and support services and promoting their rights to survival, protection, development and participation, provision of medical assistance, counselling and shelter to the victims of child abuse among others, Makinde said.

The Governor however called on well meaning Nigerians to collaborate with his Government towards providing good quality education for the young ones.

He said, “Let us together create a State where every child can thrive, reach their full potentials and contribute to our nation’s  growth and prosperity, the total well-being of the Nigerian child is our collective responsibility, let us rise to the challenge and build a brighter future for our children, our nation and ourselves.”

Highlights of the event include match past, cutting of the celebration cake, presentation of certifications of participation to all the schools in attendance, cultural performance among others.

Students of Straight Twise Model School, Olomi Ibadan emerged overall winner at the primary schools category of the match past competition, with a 74% score, while IDV Model School, Erinkoja Obe came second with 64%, Lydel Kiddies Nursery and Primary School, Felele clinched 3rd position with 60%.

St. Anne’s School Molete Ibadan emerged 1st position at the Secondary School category with 80%, Oladipo Alayande School of Science came second position at the category while TMM Secondary School emerged third position with 65%.

Dignitaries at the event include, the Head of Service Mrs. Olubunmi Oni (mni), State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Professor Salihu Adelabu, Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Prince Dotun Oyelade, Commissioner for Youth and Sports Hon Wasilla Adegoke,Chairman Local Government Pension Board, Honorable Ademola Ige, top government officials, traditional rulers, religion leaders, among others.

The Oyo State Government led by His Excellency Governor Seyi Makinde has proven it’s resolve to cushion the effects of economic hardship on indigent students and their parents by instituting initiatives that remove any impediments that can hinder them from accessing the Free Education Program of his Government

The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, Hon (Mrs) Toyin Balogun stated this while giving out free school supplies (exceptionally good quality back backs, school bags, exercise books, water bottles and other related supplies) to students at the “Back to School Giveaway Program” organised by her Ministry.

The “Back To School Giveaway Program” is to be organised in the 3 Senatorial Districts of the State: Oyo North, Oyo Central & Oyo South

The flag off event was held at Iseyin District Grammar School, Iseyin on Friday 17/05/24 to great fanfare and excitement by both notable citizens of the LG and beneficiary students from the 13 local governments of Oyo North Senatorial district

The Honorable Commissioner explained that the inspiration for the program was received during the last campaign of the Governor when she served as the Director of Women Mobilization for his 2nd term bid.

She stated that while returning from campaign at one of the LGs, she observed that many of the students returning home from school were carrying their books in cement bags or rice bags

This touched her deeply because, it showed that while their parents were eager to key into the Free Education Program of Governor Seyi Makinde, many of them were still unable to provide even the most basic school supplies for their children

On getting to Ibadan, she discussed her observations with His Excellency and being the fatherly and empathetic leader that he is, he almost immediately provided school supplies which the then DG Women Mobilization (Mrs. Balogun) proceeded to distribute at all the local government visited throughout the duration of the entire campaigns.

The Honorable Commissioner further explained that not only will school supplies be distributed to all Senatorial Districts in the State, the Back To School Giveaway Program has been approved by His Excellency as a fundamental program of her Ministry, which will be reinstated every term when schools resume.

This will reduce the Out Of School Children Index of the State as that impediment is taken away from parents and will ensure more indigent students are able to benefit from the Free Education Program of this Government.

Further expatiating, she observed that Oyo State is blessed, because we have a Governor who understands how far education can take one in life and the fact that education is one of the fundamental pillars of sustainable development

Hon (Mrs.) Balogun stated that while UNESCO instituted a benchmark of 18-20% in annual budgets for Education for Countries serious about attaining sustainable development, Governor Makinde overshot that benchmark by providing a whopping 25% in this year’s budget for education!

The Commissioner ended her comments by advising the beneficiaries to make good use of the gifts, pay attention to their studies so they can become productive members of the society

She stated that she and the Governor are looking forward to meeting some of the beneficiaries 10 to 15 years later to hear that they have been motivated by this program to become doctors, nurses, engineers, lawyers, manufacturers and other productive members of society.

In line with the Social Inclusion mandate of her ministry, Hon Balogun further reiterated the unwavering commitment of the Gov Makinde led govt to continued implementation of policies, interventions & programs that prioritize access to social welfare & quality education for all, regardless of socio-economic background, gender or faith.

In his goodwill message, the Aseyin of Iseyin, Oba Sefiu Oyebola Adeyeri III, Ajirotutu I appreciated this gesture of the Governor for prioritising and making education a cardinal program of his govt.

Also speaking, the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Saliu Adelabu, represented by the Permanent Secretary/Inspector of Education, Engr. Adebayo Salam stated that Education has the largest percentage in year 2024 budget which indicate the commitment of Governor Seyi Makinde to quality education.

In her welcome address, the PS, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, Mrs. Popoola stated that Education has always been at the forefront of Government efforts to uplift and empower communities.

Also present were a member of the Local Govt Service Commission & a leader from Atisbo LG Hon Nike Arewa and Dr. Mrs. Toyin Ajiboye a don from the University of Ibadan and Child Development Consultant who advised the beneficiaries to face their studies so as to become notables in society like our eminent Governor

Mrs. Kemi Omotosho

MEDIA OFFICER

MINISTRY OF WOMEN AFFAIRS & SOCIAL INCLUSION OYO STATE

The Oyo State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, Mrs. Toyin Balogun has vowed that the State Government will not shy away from prosecuting perpetrators of Sexual and Gender- Based Violence (SGBV).

The Commissioner made this known during a day stakeholders sensitization meeting on SGBV and COVID-19 Preparedness and Response Project (CoPREP) held at Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovative  Studies, Awolowo Road, Bodija, Ibadan.

She reiterated that under the existing laws in the State, there is no hidden place for perpetrators of such preposterous act.

Mrs. Balogun noted that Violence Against Person Prohibition Law (VAPP), Sexual and Gender Based Agency/Referral Centre Laws had been signed into laws, hence perpetrators of SGBV in the State are punishable under these existing laws.

The Commissioner opined that as Policy Makers, we should not be onlookers but Social Architects striving for systemic change to ensure that all perpetrators are held accountable through fair and effective legal systems, regardless of their social status or position of power.

Mrs. Balogun stated further that it is our collective responsibilities to brainstorm against future outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic and other infectious and communicable diseases as well as Preparedness plan from the perspective of sexual and gender based violence.

The Commissioner said that “SGBV knows no boundaries, it affects people of all ages, gender, sexual orientation and socio-economic backgrounds, stressing that it is a violation of human rights and dignity which thrives in environments where inequalities, determination and impunity exists”.

She therefore enjoined that victims must be supported with accessible and survivor-centered services, including healthcare, legal aids, counseling and safe shelter, adding that silence and stigma surrounding SGBV should be broken to ensure that victims are met with belief, validation and support when they come forward.

Earlier in her address, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, Mrs. Dolapo Popoola charged all participating stakeholders to unite in a shared mission to equip themselves with the knowledge, tools and compassion needed to combat these harmful practices and injustice, stressing that, with oneness we can build safer communities and advocate for the dignity and well-being of all individuals.

Papers delivered at the sensitization meeting includes Understanding Legal Framework/Prosecution for SGBV Offenders, Stakeholders Collaboration for effective Mitigation of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse/Sexual Harassment (SEA/SH), Implementing Psychosocial Support for Victims of SGBV and Sexual Assault Referral Centre (Abiamo)in the context of SGBV.

Present at the meeting were the  Honorable Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Inclusion Hon. Mrs. Toyin Balogun, the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Dolapo Popoola and Stakeholders chosen from the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Ministry of Justice, and Directors of Social Services from the 33 LGAs in State.