BULLETIN
THE
THE
Issue No. 2200
18-22 November 2013
Oyo Governor inaugurates new facilities at IITA
T
he Governor of Oyo State, in Nigeria, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, on Tuesday commissioned the Clinic, Wellness Center, and Crèche at the headquarters of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) in Ibadan. He underscored the importance of such facilities in promoting the health and ensuring the well-being of the institute’s staff in particular and of Nigerians in general. Putting the commissioning in a larger perspective, Governor Ajimobi cited striking figures that highlighted the need for and benefits of such facilities for an agricultural research center and the nexus between a healthy lifestyle and productivity. He said that, for example, the incidence of diabetes is increasing in sub-Saharan Africa, with related health costs estimated at US$ 67.03 billion, or US$8836 for every diabetic patient. “I congratulate and commend the IITA Women’s Group and the Management of IITA for paying attention to the health and welfare of the staff. The Health and Wellness Center could help us in reducing the costs associated with modern-day illnesses such as diabetes and hypertension. The Crèche, on the other hand, will help ensure that the children of staff receive good care while their parents are working.” “These efforts are indeed heartening as these facilities will promote and enhance the staff’s physical, mental, and social quality of life,” the Governor emphasized. Governor Ajimobi also cited how his own administration’s work complements that of IITA. “In Oyo State, we are investing in agriculture, health, and other sectors to improve the lives of our people. This year, my administration purchased and distributed tractors to farmers to enhance their productivity. We aim to attract more of the youth to agriculture, and we are energetically
Oyo Governor (in white) with Mrs Charlotte Sanginga at the Crèche
Oyo State Governor and IITA staff in group photo
pursuing this through the provision of inputs and loans with other partner financial institutions.” “There are lots of complementarities between the work of IITA and what my administration is doing. Let us continue to work together,” the Governor said. IITA Director General, Dr Nteranya Sanginga said the presence of IITA in Oyo State makes the State strategic. He called for greater collaboration between the State and the Institute to work together to improve the fortunes of farmers, especially in the areas of job and wealth creation for the youth.
He commended the State Government for providing the enabling environment for IITA to carry out its research. In the same vein, Dr Kenton Dashiell, Deputy Director General, Partnerships and Capacity Development, reechoed IITA’s willingness to work with Oyo State. He said the investments in the Health and Wellness Center, Medical Unit, and the Crèche were all aimed at creating a workforce that is healthy and competent to meet the challenges limiting agriculture in the continent. The IITA Women’s Group, the initiators of the Health and Wellness Center, said they would continue to support and pioneer efforts Asiedu and Dashiell seek to make IITA a better place for working, and to create a favorable impact in the community. closer ties The Director for IITA Western Africa, Dr Ms Sylvia Oyinlola, who spoke on behalf Robert Asiedu, has called on the Government of the group, enumerated other philanthropic of Oyo State to work more closely with IITA activities of the Group,such as the provision to improve the livelihoods of local farmers. of scholarships and support to orphanages, In his remarks at the commissioning of the among others. facilities in Ibadan, Dr Asiedu cited studies “Even the IITA School was an initiative of that prove that investments in agricultural the Women’s Group,” she added. research have high returns.
Dr Asiedu makes a speech
Mrs Oyinlola speaks on behalf of IITA Women’s Group
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