The Mogaji of Oke Esu Compound, Adamasingba, Ibadan, Mogaji Cosmas Olalekan Ibiloye Oni, has launched a monthly environmental sanitation campaign tagged **”Operation Clean Oke Esu Clean”**, as part of efforts to promote a healthy environment and improve the well-being of residents.
At the flag-off ceremony held at Oke Esu Compound, Adamasingba, Ibadan, the community leader also pledged to introduce regular medical outreach programmes for residents as part of his commitment to community development and improved healthcare delivery.
The initiative attracted the attention of the Oyo State Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, as the Commissioner, Hon. Ademola Temitayo Aderinto, commended Mogaji Oni for his foresight and commitment to environmental cleanliness at the grassroots.
The commissioner, who was represented by a Senior Environmental Officer, Sanitarian Gbolahan Ezekiel, alongside three Environmental Health Technicians led by Oyedeji Lawrence, praised the initiative and encouraged other community leaders to emulate the effort.
During the exercise, the environmental health officials embarked on a house-to-house sensitisation campaign, educating residents on the importance of maintaining clean surroundings, proper waste disposal, personal hygiene and the prevention of environmental contamination and disease outbreaks.
The team urged residents to register with approved waste disposal consultants under the Oyo State Waste Management Authority to ensure proper collection and disposal of household refuse.
They also warned against indiscriminate dumping of refuse on roads and other public places, stressing that offenders risk sanctions under applicable state environmental regulations.
Residents were further advised to provide appropriate waste storage facilities in their homes and maintain proper toilet facilities to promote environmental hygiene and safeguard public health.
Speaking at the event, Mogaji Oni said the initiative was in line with the directive of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, Arusa I, who had encouraged Mogajis across Ibadanland to return to their respective domains and make their communities clean, healthy and habitable.
He explained that the monthly sanitation programme was part of his cardinal commitments to the development of Oke Esu, noting that government alone could not reach every community without the active participation of traditional and community leaders.
According to him, the initiative would be sustained through regular monthly exercises, with residents encouraged to take ownership of their immediate environment.
Mogaji Oni also disclosed his plan to commence regular medical outreach programmes for residents, saying that environmental sanitation and access to basic healthcare were important components of community welfare.
He expressed appreciation to the Oyo State Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources for its support and participation in the flag-off exercise, assuring residents of his determination to sustain initiatives that would promote a cleaner, healthier and more habitable Oke Esu community.
