Health
OLAM Food Ingredients (Ofi), a cashew manufacturing company in Kwara, on Wednesday donated a block of six ultra modern toilets to Ansarul Islam Community School in Aboto-Oja in Asa Local Government Area of the state.
Inaugurating the school project, Mr Rajeesh Neelanjeri, the General Manager of the company, said the remained committed to improving the general wellbeing of farmers in Kwara.
Neelanjeri, who was represented by Alhaji Idris Ajibade, an executive of the company, explained that the agro firm would continue to reachout to the farming communities in its supply chain through its key focus at boosting the nutrition and health factors.
“Through consistent partnerships, we work with communities to help meet health and nutrition needs throughout the year.
“This is in line with our sustainability goals and the cashew trail target which is reflected in the slogan ‘Promoting good health and wellbeing’ through provision of clean water and implementation of proper sanitary conditions.
“Today, more than ever, it is essential to implement tools to ensure equitable sanitation and hygiene and paying special attention to the needs of women and girls, and those in vulnerable situations in these communities and this is a key focal point for the Ofi Family,” he said.
The manager said the firm would deepen stronger partnership ties and hopefully build new relationships with both existing stakeholders and new ones in a bid to make society a more sustainable positive environment.
Malam Kasali Yakub, the Community Head and the Alangua of Aboto, commended the Ofi for the project, while also appealing for the assistance of the company to intervene in over one year absence of electricity supply in the area.
The traditional ruler submitted that the community had suffered socioeconomic impact due to lack of electricity.
He called on the company to establish an industry in the community because of commercial quantity of the cashew commodity.
In her goodwill message, Mrs Fabiyi Bukola, the representative of the Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) unit of Public Health in the state Kwara Ministry of Health, said the toilet project would s capable check open defecation in the area.
She enjoined the members of the community, especially the school, to maintain it for improved hygiene.
Earlier, the school principal, Mr Bello Olatunji, explained that the project would meet the need of the students, who were erstwhile using surrounding bushes to ease themselves in the face of the ravaging kidnapping cases.
He, however, enjoined the company to assist with borehole “to further reduce difficulties in searching for water and for effective use of the toilet”.
He noted that the project would enhance effective teaching and learning process.
Bello assured that the company’s name would forever remain in the minds of the students and the villagers.
“Your love shall continue to be fresh in the minds of staff and students as much as the toilet is put into use,” he said.
The Head, Transition Implementation Committee (TIC), Asa Local Government Council, Mr Abdulganiyu Atunebise, commended OFi, saying the project will check diseases caused by open defecation, including cholera, dysentery, typhoid and intestinal worms among students, teachers and the community.
He, however, implored the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the facility. (NAN)
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NOVEMBER 1, 2023 @ 19:51 GMT|
Tags: Rajeesh Neelanjeri
