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…commends Hon Salaudeen for prioritizing the health of the council people.
In furtherance of social responsibility of the government of Abeokuta North, the Honourable members of Health and Environment Committee, led by the Committee Chairman, Honourable Moruf Olatunde Salaudeen paid an official visit to the leper colony at Iberekodo in Abeokuta.
For the residents of lepers colony in Iberekodo, Abeokuta in Ogun state, life has been difficult. Their daily challenges include lsolation, stigmatisation, discrimination, insecurity, lack of basic social amenities and hunger. Many of the residents have been living in the colony for so long and have resigned to fate.
The colony houses 31 residents and a government-owned nursery and primary school. The school, which was built by the administration of Chief Olusegun Osoba. Children of the colony community are over 700,and the school also provide learning for children outside the community.
According to the 71-year-old colony community leader, Pa. John Ojoawo, who hailed from Iwere-Ile town in Oyo state and who was a former instrumentalist, life has not been easy for him and other residents. He however stated that intervention of good Samaritans, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and the state government, have kept him alive and healthy. Pa Ojoawo has been living in the colony since 1973.*
Also in the team was the secretary of the committee, Honourable Nasiru Ayotunde, Councilor representing Ward 5.
Other members of the team include Honourable Mutiu Sanni, comrade Solomon Damilare, secretary Ward 5 of Abeokuta North who represented Honourable Makanjuola Saliu Tunde.
Leaders of the community, who received the team, appreciated the visitation and efforts of the local government Chairman, Honourable Ayorinde, for putting them in mind and not neglecting the lepers.
In his speech to the colony, committee Chairman Honourable Moruf Salaudeen, asked the lepers colony to state their most pressing needs in terms of security, health and environmental needs.
The Secretary of the lepers community, Mr. Folohunso Lukmon cited poor state of their buildings, inadequate security and the need for covid-19 vaccination. Honourable Salaudeen thereby promised to provide vaccines for the colony soonest through the assistance of the Council Chairman, Honourable Abdulsalam Ayorinde, and to look into their other needs as matters of urgency.
Members of the colony, speaking through their leader and the secretary, expressed their profound appreciation to the Honourable committee members led by Hon Salaudeen for his kind gestures and support to the colony.
