Oyo Govt Appoints Ladigbolu, Ladoja’s Wife, Peller, Others as HIV/AIDS Control Ambassadors

The Oyo State Government has appointed six distinguished indigenes as Ambassadors of the Oyo State Agency for the Control of AIDS (OYSACA), in a renewed effort to strengthen the fight against HIV/AIDS in the state.

The appointees include the Chairman of the Oyo Metropolitan Development Association, Archbishop Emeritus Ayo Ladigbolu; former Oyo State First Lady and wife of the Olubadan-designate, Chief (Mrs) Mutiat Ladoja; the Balogun of Ogbomosoland, Chief (Dr) Saka Balogun; former federal lawmaker, Shina Peller; Alhaji Rasaq Adeleke; and Wale Saminu.

Their inauguration was conducted by the Deputy Governor, Bayo Lawal, who represented Governor Seyi Makinde at a ceremony held yesterday at the OYSACA Conference Room, Government House Road, Ibadan.

Lawal announced that the government had committed N45 million and supplied 10,000 HIV test kits to boost the agency’s operations. He congratulated the new Ambassadors, urging them to leverage their influence and networks to champion the campaign against HIV/AIDS.

“Our selection of these Ambassadors was deliberate,” the Deputy Governor stated. “They are individuals we believe can deliver on this mandate, and we appreciate that they volunteered their services without requesting remuneration.”

The Chairman of OYSACA, Dr. Gbola Adetunji, outlined the significance of the appointments, noting that the Ambassadors are expected to represent the agency’s mission, raise awareness through advocacy, and influence public opinion and policy.

“In this effort,” Adetunji said, “we aim to reduce stigma, encourage prevention and treatment, support affected communities, and push for relevant policy changes. These Ambassadors were carefully chosen and we trust their capacity to deliver.”

Archbishop Ladigbolu, speaking on behalf of the appointees, described his selection as recognition of his long-standing work with the HIV/AIDS Support Group he founded in Oyo town, which has served communities across the four local governments within the Oyo Metropolitan Area. He pledged to intensify grassroots sensitisation and advocacy.

The ceremony drew participants from the health sector, faith-based organisations, and other key partners in the fight against HIV/AIDS.