As Nigeria contends with recurring floods and cholera outbreaks, the Oyo State Government, in partnership with UNICEF, has launched a fresh regional effort to bolster preparedness and protect vulnerable communities—especially women and children.
The initiative kicked off with a three-day, multi-sectoral Emergency Preparedness workshop in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, bringing together stakeholders from Oyo, Ekiti, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, and Edo States. The forum aims to strengthen regional capacity for early, coordinated response to emergencies that continue to threaten public health and safety.
Declaring the workshop open, Rotimi Babalola, Permanent Secretary, Oyo State Ministry of Information and Orientation, described the meeting as timely amid the rising frequency of climate-related disasters and disease outbreaks.
“Emergencies, as we all know, do not give prior notice. They demand timely, coordinated, and multi-sectoral action. This workshop provides a unique opportunity to share knowledge, review strategies, and strengthen collaboration across the South-West,” Babalola said.
Officials said the partnership seeks to reinforce inter-state cooperation, improve readiness at state and community levels, and ensure faster, more effective protection for those most at risk.
