Okowa’s wife kicks off NNPC/Chevron JV’s deworming of 45,000 pupils in Delta

WIFE of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, Dame Edith, on Tuesday, kicked off the NNPC/Chevron Joint Venture deworming of 45,000 pupils in schools in Delta.

The exercise is in a bid to eradicate all forms of unhygienic practices which often result in illnesses among children in Delta State and part of the effort at building a healthy nation.

The kick-off of the exercise in collaboration with Glaxo Smith Kline (GSK), took place at the King George Centenary Hall in Warri, Delta State.

Besides Mrs Okowa, wives of government functionaries, Warri South Local Government Area, Dr Michael Tidi, delegates from Chevron Nigeria Ltd, teachers and pupils from public schools in the local government area were at the event.

Speaking at the ceremony, Delta First Lady thanked NNPC/Chevron JV and their partner for the exercise.

She added that her husband was fully ready to partner with oil companies to engender a business-friendly terrain as part of the state government’s SMART agenda.

“This initiative is to provide safety and conducive living for our children who are vulnerable to certain illnesses in the society.

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“We’re doing this to ensure their the future is bright to achieve the best of their dreams.

“Mother’s should participate in this exercise to encourage the goals and dreams of the young children.

“Children should be thoroughly be given attention on a daily basis; their guardians and parents should play a vital role in ensuring a good healthy living,” she advocated.

Mrs Okowa, who was represented by the wife of the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Mrs Tobore Oborevwori, disclosed that the initiative would be extended to all the local government areas of the state.

In a lecture titled “Benefits of Deworming” delivered by a Chevron pharmacist, Mrs Modupe Olukemi, underscored the benefits of deworming to children and other health and safety habits they must cultivate to prevent contracting other diseases.

“Most worms are invisible to the human eyes, and they cause trouble to young children when proper hygiene is not maintained.

“Uncooked food, unclean water and dirty environment should be avoided to prevent infestation among the young ones.

“Learn to wash your hands, fruits, and avoid being in a dirty surrounding; when you find out a child is having no appetite for food, vomiting, weakness, frequent stooling, this could be symptoms of worm infestation affecting the young child,” she disclosed while admonishing children and parents.

Mrs Olukemi further advised parents deworm their children within four to six months to maintain a healthy living.

Chairman of Warri South LGA, Dr Tidi, lauded NNPC/Chevron JV for the exercise.

“I’m really happy for this initiative by the companies; this Cooperate Social Responsibility( CSR) is, indeed, worth commending.

“It’s a good initiative carried out in my area of control; this exercise is, no doubt, of great significance to our pupils, children and the society in general,” he enthused.

He enjoined other international oil companies (IOCs) and other private companies operating in the local government to emulate the gesture.

Highlights were cultural performance by the pupils and kicking off of the exercise by the wife of the speaker.