The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), has solicited the support of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Akinloye Owolabi Olakulehin towards protection of rights of children in the country.

This appeal was made during a visit to the paramount ruler of Ibadan land on Wednesday, September 18, by a delegation of the United Nations’ agency, according to a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Olubadan, Mr Solomon Olugbemiga Ayoade.

The Olubadan, who spoke through the Maye Olubadan, Senior Chief Rasheed Olalekan Alabi, at the Oke Aremo palace of the monarch, stated that the UNICEF team made a right choice to make the Olubadan a reference point of contact to other traditional rulers.

The monarch, while speaking further, cited the importance of Ibadanland, being the home of many firsts in the socio-economic, political, educational, information, health care delivery and cultural development of Nigeria.

“Ibadan is the home of firsts in Nigeria. Ibadan has been at the forefront of political, information, social and economic development in the country.

“To mention just a few, the first teaching hospital, University College Hospital (UCH), was established in Ibadan; the first university in Nigeria, University of Ibadan was established in 1948; and the first television station in Africa was established in Ibadan.

“Thus, the aims and objectives of UNICEF towards reduction of maternal mortality, infant mortality and other social and health problems will be realised now that you have visited the Olubadan of Ibadanland.”

Earlier in his address, the UNICEF team leader, Mohammed Okorie, declared that the visit became necessary in order to solicit the support of the Olubadan in sensitising, mobilising and enlightening parents and guardians in ensuring that the rights of children are protected.

“Every child’s right must be protected. Ibadan and Oyo State residents are not accessing UNICEF services as expected, thus the need to appeal to the Olubadan, the Olubadan-in-Council, Chiefs, Mogajis and Baales to sensitise and mobilise their people to make use of the facilities and opportunities provided by UNICEF.

“We must ensure that pregnant mothers attend ante natal care for safe delivery. Also, the care of elderly persons and facilitating financial assistance to secondary health care institutions and other hospitals in general whenever the need arises are key objectives,” he said.

In a related development, the Ibadan North East Local Government traditional council also paid a courtesy visit to the Olubadan same day.

Senior Chief Emiola Rafiu Onideure, who spoke on behalf of the traditional council, described the Olubadan as a peace-loving person.

According to him, “We are here to celebrate our monarch, His Imperial Majesty Oba Akinloye Owolabi Olakulehin for several reasons. If we want to open the book of our father, we will have many chapters and pages. Baba is a peace-loving person; very prudent.

“Baba has always been a good man to everybody. He is a good father to all. The short period he used in Ibadan North East as Chairman of traditional council, we enjoyed him. He even deserves more recognition. We just had to visit him to show him that we appreciate him.”