••• Donates to Motherless Babies’ Home, Widows
Members of the Liberal Platform on Saturday took to major streets in Akure, the Ondo State capital, to demonstrate the importance of environmental cleanliness and sanitation as part of their end-of-year outreach programme.
The sanitation exercise, led by the President of the Liberal Platform, Hon. Demola Ijabiyi, covered areas from Akure City Hall through Texaco along Oba Adesida Road, where members swept streets, packed refuse and cleared dirt from public spaces.
Speaking during the exercise, Hon. Ijabiyi said the initiative was aimed at leading by example and changing public attitudes towards waste management.
“This is one of the activities of our end-of-the-year programme. We came out to demonstrate to residents the importance of environmental cleanliness and sanitation,” he said.
According to him, the presence of prominent individuals participating in street cleaning was deliberate.
“When people see people like us sweeping, they will imbibe such acts. Many people were watching us and must have been surprised. If people like us can sweep, then others will have no excuse,” Ijabiyi stated.
He described Nigerians’ attitude to waste management as poor.
“It’s terrible. We are not conscious of cleanliness. Look at traders selling their wares in the middle of filth. There is no reason for refuse to be everywhere if we are truly conscious of sanitation,” he said.
Ijabiyi added that the exercise was also a message to government.
“Government has a lot to do. Our people generate a lot of refuse, and coverage is not enough. Places should already be clean. This is about our health,” he stressed.
‘Service Is the Rent We Pay for Living’
Chairman of the Liberal Platform Governing Board, Omosua Olufemi-Mayor, said the sanitation exercise reflected the platform’s belief in service and responsibility.
“As conceived by our life president, this idea is about togetherness and rendering service. Hillary Clinton once said that service is the rent we pay for living, and this is one of such services,” he said.
He noted that the action was meant to inspire citizens regardless of status.
“No matter how highly placed you are—commissioners, governors or other leaders—you still have a responsibility to take care of your environment,” he added.
Donation to Motherless Babies’ Home and Widows
Chairman of the 2025 Planning Committee for the Liberal Platform End-of-Year Outreach, Olumide Abudu, said the sanitation exercise was part of a broader humanitarian programme.
“After this, we are going to the motherless babies’ home at Oba-Ile to donate. This has been our tradition.
Liberal Platform is known for charity and reaching out to the needy,” Abudu said.
He disclosed that items donated included bags of rice, cartons of Indomie noodles, yams, and cash support.
In addition, four widows were also reached out to, each receiving the sum of ₦25,000, an intervention sponsored by a member of the platform, Mr. Zadok Akintoye.
“This is part of our commitment to lifting people and correcting imbalances in society,” Abudu added.
Waste Management Board Commends Initiative
Chairman of the Ondo State Waste Management Board, Mrs. Yinka Alabi, who is also a member of the Liberal Platform, praised the initiative and called for more partnerships.
“Government cannot do it alone. We have been yearning for collaboration, and we are very proud of what the Liberal Platform has done today,” she said.
She urged residents to emulate the group.“Health is wealth. People should prioritize cleanliness and ensure their environment is sustained and beautiful,” Alabi stated.
On public attitude towards waste disposal, she said sensitisation efforts would continue.
“We keep reaching out to people, especially on improper and industrial dumping. We believe that over time, people will change for the better,” she added.
