children

Dear Young Folks Series 6 (“Reflections on a Remarkable Journey: You deserve the cheer guys “)

I often hear from colleagues and friends about how highly Babatunde Saheed speaks of me in my absence. These moments make me reflect on the kind of person he is. A few months ago, we sat together, and he recounted our journey, beginning when I served as his correspondent in 2007, until I became an in-house analyst a decade later. Initially, I worked as an invisible analyst in 2018, with live studio appearances starting the following year. This journey has been remarkable, and sharing the stage with some of the best in the business has been an incredible experience. Most importantly, having my idol and mentor, Babatunde Saheed, beside me on the Saturday special has been invaluable. Everyone in my close circle knows how much I have considered leaving the world of sports commentary. However, the passion I continually receive from my work keeps holding me back. The leadership qualities Babatunde Saheed displays are rare, and I learn a great deal from him. To the young professionals out there: at some point, you will need someone who sees and regards you as a colleague rather than a protégé. It is invaluable to have someone who is not shy to publicly acknowledge your contributions to their success. Idris AnimasaunArchitect and Social Change Advocate

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THE CITIZENS HAVE A BIG ROLE TO PLAY IN SUSTAINABLE WASTE MANAGEMENT by Idris Animasaun

Often times, I have been at the forefront of advocacy for government to own up to her responsibilities in tackling the menace of waste collection which has bedeviled our environment in recent years. It is interesting to see how the Omituntun 2.0 is responding as they have moved from creating awareness on different radio and online platforms to breaking the monopoly of having a single waste management contractor collecting our wastes to about 10. For an administration that prides itself on prompt reaction to issues being raised, it is commendable to see the decline in the amount of black spots that we used to have within the city centre and our road median steadily becoming a shadow of her usual self. It is in this line that I am using this medium to call on the good people of the Ibadan to see themselves as major stakeholders as we can play a crucial role in sustainable waste management by reducing, reusing, and recycling of waste. We can minimize our waste by practicing responsible consumption habits, segregating recyclables, and composting organic matter. We are getting past the era of illicit dumping as anyone caught by the new Sheriff in town will be made to pay 50,000 naira fine or risk other sentences. The amount of calls I receive on weekly basis to help reach out to the commissioner for mercy by victims is increasingly growing and this feels so shameful for me to put a call through to someone I publicly drag for not doing his job well. We as citizens cannot continue to advocate for better waste management policies without willingness to support initiatives that promote sustainability in our communities which enforcements becomes one of the major fulcrum of actualizing some of these goals. Image Location: Ojoo IbadanDate: 10th April, 2024 Idris AnimasaunArchitect and Social Change Advocate

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World Population Day, Idris Animasaun advocates for rights of women, girl child and exploring the abundance of social media in global population campaign

Idris Animasaun an environment enthusiast sustainable development and good governance advocate while speaking with our correspondence in commemoration of the world population day emphasizes on the need to explore new media in drawing the much needed ahead of the forthcoming national census by National Population Commission. The World Population Day which is a day set aside by resolution 45/216 of December 1990 of the United Nations General Assembly aimed at seeking attention on the urgency and importance of population issues, by enhancing awareness of population issues, including their relations to the environment and development has continued to be celebrated every 11th day since the very first of such in 1987. Highlighting the importance of social media, Mr. Idris Animasaun places adoption of strategies aimed at reaching out to youth via the most popular mediums in area of engagements and awareness. In his words, “Few weeks ago while appearing as a guest analyst on a radio program to speak about the population census, I expressed great concerns on the need for National Orientation Agency across every states of federation to set up and grow their online media presence with graphical contents. While commending the effort of the Oyo State Chapter under the Chairman of the agency, Mr. Kayode Odedodun on their activities and sensitization during the INEC registration and PVC collections, implementation of naira redesign of the federal government, much of such presence can be said on CENSUS. We should break the norm of limiting the campaigns to Radio and TV gingles, print media advertorials but also the opportunities abound social media. Most of our youths now spend so much time on their respective social media platforms such as Whatsapp, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok etc. It is now becoming imperative for concerned agencies should set up account to engage their new audience by running sponsored adverts, streaming of live events and awareness”. Mr. Idris while reacting further to journalists discussed the theme of this year celebration 2023 which is Unleashing the power of gender equality: Uplifting the voices of women and girls to unlock our world’s infinite possibilities. It is becoming important that adequate priorities are put in place for inclusivity of female gender in all spheres of life. We need to start showing concerns and responsibility by recognizing the great impact the works of Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, Oby Ezekwesili, Late Dora Akunyili and many others who distinguished themselves when given a chance to serve this nation. We need to give them more opportunities to play their own role in the development of our nation he concluded.

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SAFEGUARDING THE CHILDREN: WHY SEYI MAKINDE MUST PUT THEM FIRST IN HIS OMITUNTUN 2.0 PLANS

In the last couple of months at least five(5) children died due to alleged negligence/abuse of Private Schools across Nigeria. In Oyo State there has been cases of alleged child neglect/abuse recorded within the Private and Public School system over the years. The question remains, what is Oyo State doing to eliminate this menace?

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