The Oluyole chapter of Junior Chamber International (JCI) has started implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the city of Ibadan.

The 2016 president of the local chapter, JCI Ambassador Bamitola Akin, said in a recent media chat: “We are a group of active citizens interested in making a difference in their communities, at their workplaces, in their careers and in their homes. In 2016, our projects shall all be in line with the sustainable development goals. We see our organisation as an SDG partner.”

The organisation recently visited Oni & Sons Hospital, Kings Kids Orphanage and Kiddies Porche Orphanage to assess their needs and also made financial donations to the clinic and the two orphanages respectively. This was part of a project tagged JCI Senator Adegunle Outreach and “the objective is to put smiles on the faces of the orphans and ensure proper medical care for children in Oyo State,” Akin said.

He added that “earlier this year, members of JCI Oluyole visited Agodi Prison Ibadan to give out mosquito nets to inmates, to also assess their needs and to interact deeply with the convicted. When the Federal Government announced the outbreak of Lassa fever, the organisation was quick to engage market men and women on the preventive measures. They gave out flyers, encouraged good hygiene, and suggested better approach of handling food items.

Meanwhile, the Director of Publicity of the organisation, JC Olufemi Babalogbon has announced that the organisation has launched a “Book reading tour in Ibadan with the objectives of encouraging reading culture among students of secondary schools and also improving the standard of education.” Babalogbon stated that the organisation’s research showed that reading culture, being on a decline, accounts for 90 per cwnt of failures in examinations.

The Director of Community Development for JCI Oluyole, JC Gbenro explained that the Outreaches are in line with SDG 3, which is “to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all ages”; while the Book Reading Tour is in line with SGD 4, which is “to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education.”