The State Government of Osun has charged its citizens to leverage on the demands for innovations that the COVID-19 pandemic has brought about in the country and in the world.
The Deputy Governor, Mr Benedict Alabi, who is the Head of the State’s Task Force on COVID-19, disclosed this while receiving the donation of solar-powered handwashing machines from the Osun State branch of the Nigerian Society of Engineers.
Alabi said that the State of Osun is one that runs on innovations across different sectors, and is therefore open to receiving more innovative ideas and Interventions from individuals, groups and associations, within and outside the State.
In his words: “We appreciate the Nigerian Society of Engineers for this noble idea presented to the State. The Governor and the people of our dear State are impressed by the idea behind this donation.
“COVID-19 has presented us with the opportunities to be innovative. It is now left for us to utilize the opportunities the virus has presented, for the advancement of the society.
“Engineers are known for proferring innovative solutions to problems and this is indeed a noble one. The administration of Governor Gboyega Oyetola is run on innovations and is open to innovative ideas that can move the State forward”, Alabi said.
The outgoing Chairman of the Osun State branch of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, Engr. Olalekan Salami, who led the delegation, appreciated the government of the state of Osun for its proactiveness so far in the management of the pandemic.
Salami said: “When COVID-19 struck like a thunderbolt, we observed that Governor Adegboyega Oyetola adopted an engineering approach in addressing the threats the pandemic posed on the State.
“We observed his proactive steps, and so we have put up our little contribution to support the fight against the spread of COVID-19 in the State of Osun.
“We thank Governor Oyetola for his proactiveness in the fight against the pandemic”, Salami said.
Also speaking at the presentation, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Public Health, Pharmacist Siji Olamiju, thanked the Nigerian Society of Engineers, stating that handwashing was instrumental in the fight against COVID-19, and that the Association had chosen a very strategic intervention.
