Egbemode Tasks Journalists On Campaign To Curb The Spread Of Covid-19

By Amina Adebare, Osogbo

Media Practitioners have been called upon to intensify efforts on their sensitization programmes on Covid-19 in a bid to terminate it.

The Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation in Osun, Mrs Funke Egbemode made the call in her keynote address at a one- day Media Advocacy Meeting on “Covax Update” with Local Government Information Officers and Media Organizations in the State held at Micom Golf Hotel, Ada, Osun State.

The information Commissioner ,who was represented by the Coordinating Director in the Ministry, Mrs. Bukola Aderibigbe, commended the State Governor, Mr. Adegboyega Oyetola’s efforts in curtailing the virus, since its outbreak, in the interest of the masses.

While explaining the essence of the meeting, Egbemode, who averred that the media remains a viable tool of delivering health behavioral change and risk reduction, regardless of the complexity of health issues, stressed that it became imperative for pen pushers, as part of their responsibility,to restrategize on how to encourage those that are sceptical about the efficacy of Covid Vaccine to embrace it without any fear of negative effects.

She identified renovation of three hundred and thirty two health centres across the State with adequate motivation of health personnel to enhance productivity, creation of Osun Health Insurance Scheme, continuous procurement of drugs with medical equipment, regular training of health personnel and outstanding performance among others as part of efforts to guard the State against Covid-19.

Governor Oyetola, was also commended for initiating Osun Food Support Scheme tagged “Ounje Ileri”, which afforded thirty thousand vulnerables the opportunity to receive food items on monthly basis, free of charge, in order to boost their health and nutrition level.

She advised journalists to see the challenges of the novel Virus ravaging the world as a collective battle which requires collective drastic approach to overcome.

Speaking at the occasion,the communication for development specialist, UNICEF, Akure Field Office, Mrs Aderoke Akinwole commended the media for their untiring efforts on campaigns against the novel Virus, but expressed disappointment that the state of Osun has dropped from it’s earlier 3rd position,in the Covax immunisation ranking,to the sixth position due to general unfounded fear of negative reaction to the Vaccine.

She explained that much is expected from the media in the area of aggressive awareness to every nook and cranny of the State,especially the rural areas to correct the mis-conception about Covid Vaccine.

Corroborating this view was Director of Programme in Osun,Mrs.Adeniji Taiwo, who harped on the need for people to adhere strictly to all the Covid -19 safety protocols, advising those who are yet to be immunized or complete their jabs to do so in their own interest,and in the interest of the entire humanity.

The State immunisation boss called for intensive promotional jingles to encourage people to be immunized, adding that those unvaccinated pose greater danger to the well being of the society.

The attendees at the Media Advocacy Meeting were later divided into four groups to brainstorm on how to chat a new course to tackle the virus.