Monarch Launches Environmental Sanitation Programme In Ife

The Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, over the weekend launched an environmental sanitation programme ‎tagged ‘Gba’femo’, that is ‘Sweep Ife Clean’.

The sanitation programme, which worth millions of Naira includes a cleaning competition where residents will be encourage to get involved in cleaning the streets of Ife town.

According to the programme, the cleanest street in Ile-Ife and its environs when chosen would receive a cash reward of 100,000 Naira every month.

‎At the commissioning of the project held in front of the Ile-Oodua, Enuwa Square in Ile Ife, Osun State, Oba Ogunwusi, who was accompanied by his queen, Olori Wuraola Ogunwusi, said the provision of the two new Leyland trucks and waste disposal bins was to encourage the people of Ile-Ife to take the issue of sanitation very seriously.

He said that “environmental sanitation or cleanliness is crucial in the drive to make Ile-Ife a tourist destination. And Ile-Ife has to be prepared ahead for the millions of tourists expected to visit the ancient historical city from next year”.

About 200 youths have also been selected and enlisted for the take-off of the programme in collaboration with Local Government Authorities.

Oba Ogunwusi emphasised that environmental sanitation and cleanliness in all ramifications should be properly observed and carried out in all the nooks and crannies of Ile-Ife.

Earlier, the Project Manager, Mr Tunde Awoyemi, while addressing the crowd at the event said that Ooni Ogunwusi had challenged the youths, women and elders of the community to be actively involved in environmental sanitation and cleanliness of Ile-Ife and environs.

Also the Ife Traditional Council led by Obalufe of Iremo, Oba Idowu Adediwura and Lowa Adimula of Ife, Oba Julius Omisakin, spoke glowingly in support of the programme initiated by Ooni Ogunwusi.

They also appealed for support and co-operation of all and sundry in Ile-Ife and its environs to make the programme successful.

This initiative is coming days after flood destroyed property in the state’s capital city, Osogbo, leading to the death of one person.

The incident had been blamed on indiscriminate waste disposal by residents, something that the Ooni is trying to address in Ife town.

Dredging work has, however, started in Osogbo to guard against recurrence of the incident that occurred after flood warning was issued.

Channels Television.