By Bukola Adama
Kwara State has emerged the best state in the North Central and 6th in the country in the implementation of the Federal Government–led “Saving One Million Lives (SOML) initiative following an evaluation of the scheme carried out by the Federal Ministry of Health and the World Bank.
The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Media and Communications, Dr Muyideen Akorede made this known while addressing newsmen on the outcome of the State Executive Council meeting, yesterday.
He said that the state was assessed on the basis of maternal, newborn and child health, immunisation, contraceptive prevalence rate, usage of long lasting insecticide treated nets, delivery support and improvement in health care services.
Akorede said that the council was pleased with the news which he described as good start in a New Year.
He further disclosed that based on the success recorded in the first phase, the state has been selected among the 11 others to benefit from the second phase of the scheme.
Speaking further, Akorede said the council took note of the forthcoming electioneering campaign and stressed the need for all public commentators, party officials, clergy men and any individual engaged in public discourse to avoid any speeches capable of being labelled as hate speech or incitement.
According to him, Kwara under the watch of Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed is a strong believer in the rule of law and freedom of expression as guaranteed by the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. He added that the Council has directed the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barr Kamaldeen Ajibade to bring to the attention of law enforcement agencies anybody found to be indulging in such actions.
