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A high-class social organisation, Club Elan, has honoured some government dignitaries for their individual outstanding performances in their various offices.
The eight honourees are the Executive Director, Corporate Services, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Hon. Ifedayo Abegunde; the 17th Ondo State Head of Service (HoS), Chief Segun Odusola, the Special Adviser (Correctional Centre Reforms) to the Minister of Interior, Mr. Babatunde Ogundare; Ondo State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Banji Ajaka; the state Commissioner for Energy, Johnson Alabi, Commissioner for Physical Planning, Sunday Olajide; and the Commissioner for Water Resources, Ayodele Akande.
In his address, the President of the Club, Mobalaji Johnson Adeyeye, stated that all the honourees are members of the club.
He disclosed that the awards were instituted to celebrate members who had distinguished themselves in positions of responsibility through integrity, excellence, exemplary leadership and selfless service to humanity.
Adeyeye explained that the recognition of the honourees was based on proven character and impactful service rather than political appointments or social status.
He, therefore, urged members of the club to continue upholding the ideals of the club.
In his remarks, Chief Jide Owolabi, the Chairman of the Planning Committee, stated that the honourees were carefully selected on the grounds of their remarkable achievements and commitment to public service.
He said their accomplishments would inspire younger members of the club and the larger society.
While responding on behalf of the honourees, Ogundare appreciated the leadership and members of Club Elan for identifying and finding them worthy of the honour.
He stated that the recognition would spur them to do more in serving the nation.
According to Ogundare, the event was the first of its kind organised by the club to honour its members occupying strategic government positions simultaneously.
He noted that the award symbolised greater responsibility and renewed commitment to solving societal problems.
Speaking on reforms introduced in the Nigerian Correctional Service under the leadership of the Ministry of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the Special Adviser, disclosed that the inmates’ daily feeding allowance had increased from N650 to N1,125, while vocational training programmes had significantly reduced the rate of repeat offences among ex-inmates.
The new correctional facilities and improved infrastructure, according to Ogundare, were being developed in all facilities across the federation.
He explained that the reforms focus on rehabilitating inmates and preparing them for productive lives after completing their years in the facilities.
The state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Ajaka, told journalists at the event that the state government had embarked on massive reforms in the health sector, cutting across primary, secondary and tertiary facilities.
He disclosed that several primary healthcare centres that were hitherto in bad condition had been renovated and equipped with modern devices.
According to him, the health facilities have been illuminated with solar power, equipped with potable water and adequate personnel to improve healthcare service delivery at the grassroots.
The medical practitioner further disclosed that the state government had embarked on the construction of new 100-bed secondary healthcare facilities in different parts of the state, besides upgrading existing general hospitals with modern diagnostic equipment, including CT scan, MRI, digital X-ray and ophthalmology facilities.
He said the state had continued to record impressive health outcomes, particularly in child and infant survival indices, the achievements he described as evidence of sustained investment in the health sector in the state.
