From Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa
The Chairman Bayelsa State Council of Traditional Rulers, the Ibenanaowei of Ekpetiama Kingdom, HRM King Bubaraye Dakolo Agada IV, has been honoured as the Neglected Tropical Diseases, Royal Ambassador for Bayelsa State.
The honour was bestowed on him during a visit to the traditional council Secretariat in Yenagoa, as part of an event to mark the 2024 World NTDs Day.
Speaking during the investiture ceremony, the state’s Commissioner of Health, Hon. Newton Igwele, noted that this year’s event was special because of the honour to have a new champion for the fight against the Neglected Tropical Diseases.
The Commissioner who was represented by the Director of Public Health, Dr. Jones Stow, stated that the event was a gathering of citizens “deeply committed to the fight against neglected tropical diseases.
According to him, the event was not just to celebrate the global awareness but also the investiture of a champion
“Recognising the burden of NTDs for a long time, NTDs have cast a long shadow over our communities, affecting millions with debilitating and disfiguring diseases like elephantiasis, river blindness and schistosomiasis”
He added that these diseases, while often preventable and treatable, continue to rob individuals of their health, livelihoods and dignity in the state, stressing that the awareness of the burden has brought about the unwavering determination to join the fight.
In his acceptance speech, the Royal Ambassador, HRM. King Bubaraye Dakolo, thanked the group for the great task put on his shoulders to champion the fight against these neglected diseases.
He urged the group to use new modern techniques to let the world get more awareness, noting that he will write, talk and also present all that needs to be presented for the campaign.
“It’s a shame that in 2024 we still have diseases that are classified as being neglected. Whenever I see the African continent or people bear the entire burdens of the world, or are allowed to suffer and die in spite of the resources, I feel sad. We carry the entire minerals of the world and the processing of the minerals cause and worsen these diseases”
The advocacy must be taken seriously. The United Nations should prevail on its member nations who take over 350 billion yearly and return about 50 billion as interventions to do more. We have to speak up the facts that have made us still appear pitied in spite of our resources,’’ he said.
The partners working in the state are the Christian Blind Mission CBM) and United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund( UNICEF).