A special report by Opeyemi Olawore has x-rayed the focal point of the event of observing this year’s International Women’s day which was held at the Ibarapa East Local Government, Eruwa, Oyo State
As the world recently marked the International Women’s Day, girls and women also converged at the Eruwa Town Hall, Ibarapa East Local Government of Oyo State to discuss the importance of education and nutrition in realizing women’s rights.
The theme for this year’s celebration is ‘Generation Equality; Realizing Women’s Rights for equal future.’
The convener of the programme and Director for Senator Adeyemo Women Empowerment Cooperatives (SAWEC), Mrs. Bola Adeyemo who spoke on ‘nutrition of women and adolescent girls : why it matters, ‘explained that adequate nutrition is crucial for anyone and everyone to attain good health.
According to Mrs. Adeyemo, ‘adolescent girls are at Greater risk of malnutrition because they are growing faster within those ages than at any other period of their life. They require a sufficient intake of iron and micronutrients to support their growth and meet the increased physiological demand for iron during menstruation.’
Mrs. Adeyemo frowned at teenage pregnancy which according to her was a common occurrence in Ibarapa community, where babies are raising children.
In her words, ‘ with bio-fortified crops already adopted by the National Nutrition Council as long term means of reducing micronutrients deficiency, you are all enjoined to eat and promote the consumption of bio-fortified crops from vitamin A cassava, maize to orange fleshed potatoes, to help bring an end to impaired vision and rampant growth retention among our children and adolescents.
The Local Inspector of Education for Ibarapa East Local Government, Mr Lawal and the guest speaker, Mrs. Opeyemi Olawore, the Public Relations Officer for Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology, Igboora in their speeches, observed that education is an eye opener to knowing one’s right.
They called on the girls not to trivialize their education but should be serious minded and focused in order to achieve a better future.
High points of the event include; brain storming group activity and speech presentations by participating schools namely; Obaseeku High School, Baptist Model High School, Ifelodun Comprehensive High School, Eruwa High School, Lanlate High School, Divine Favour College among others.
At the end of the speech presentations by representatives from schools; Baptist Model High School came first, Divine Favour College took the second position and Ifelodun Comprehensive High School came third.
Some of the students that participated in the programme expressed joy, while commending Mrs. Bola Adeyemo.
One of the Students, Adejoju Oketayo revealed that education and good nutrition are important for women in realizing their rights.
She appealed to fellow girls to embrace good nutrition and education as gateway to realizing their rights.
