The Special Adviser to the Governor of Ekiti State on information, RT. HON.Taiwo Olatunbosun has said that Social and behaviour change is the engine that drives adoption of healthy practices as it enhances Community engagement and ensures that investment in programmes translate to real measurable results.
The Special Adviser said this on Tuesday in Ado Ekiti while delivering his keynote address at a two day capacity building meeting of Social and Behavioural Change (SBC) Committee members for cross sectoral interventions for child development and survival in Ekiti State.
While welcoming participants to the Capacity Building Workshop,
Olatunbosun said the meeting is to re-affirm the present administration’s commitment to strengthening and enhancing the impact of cross-Sectoral interventions that improve the well-being of people in our Communities.
He noted that, Worthy of note is the fact that development challenges-whether in Health, Nutrition,Education, WASH or in other relevant Sectors cannot be addressed in isolation, therefore, Cross Sectoral coordination is therefore very vital because when Ministries,Agencies and Community actors work in silos, we lose synergy, waste resources and limit impact.
“When we collaborate, align our messages and harmonize interventions, we unlock the full potential of development initiatives.This meeting is therefore apt and timely because it gives us the opportunity to deepen our understanding of SBC principles, improve coordination mechanisms and strengthen our roles as champions and advocates for behaviour change across all programmes.
“As SBC members, your task does not end here. After this meeting, you are expected to cascade knowledge, support community structures and ensure that our interventions are people-centred, impactful, data driven and sustainable.” He said.
He also noted that the proactive policies, child centered initiatives and continuous efforts of Oyebanji’s administration to improve Education, Health and Protection Services is a demonstration of genuine leadership and compassion”.
Olatunbosun therefore expressed his appreciation to the Government of Ekiti State under the leadership of His Excellency, Mr Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji for his unwavering commitment to the welfare of children in Ekiti State.
The S.A applauded UNICEF for being a trusted and consistent Partner and collaborator in ensuring the safety of the health and well-being of Children and the entire populace, he therefore reassured that the Sate Government will continue to collaborate with Development Partners and Non-Governmental Organizations in its quest to promote the welfare of Children and the entire populace.
People change when they are informed, engaged, supported and empowered. As SBC members, you are at the forefront of this transformation.I want to implore all participants to be actively involved and contribute meaningfully to deliberations at this forum so that the knowledge acquired could be useful for improving the welfare of our people.
Another resource person who is also the UNICEF Director of Programmes, Mrs Adesola Fadiran in her welcome address noted that, the importance of the meeting is the recognition of the fact that behaviour does not change when we work in isolation , stressing that behaviour is shaped by systems, environments, culture and the influence of multiple sectors, working together.
“It is important to note that when we collaborate across sectors, we are better positioned to empower individuals and communities to adopt healthier, safer and more productive behaviors.
“Let us therefore use the meeting as a catalyst to deepen our partnerships, strengthen our strategies and re-affirm our commitment towards improving the wellbeing of our people.” the Director charg
Speaking on the significance of the meeting, Chief Adewumi Aladesanmi, the Onikewo of Ikewo, Ado-Ekiti, who represented Ewi-in-Council and Babaloja, as well as Chief Olayinka Babalola, the Iyalaje of Okesa Market, Ado-Ekiti eulogised the Ekiti State Ministry of Information and UNICEF for organising the meeting which they described as crucial in getting people sensitised about government policies for better understanding instead of using force in getting some policies implemented.
Participants at the meeting were drawn from all sectors across the state.
