Tomorrow, the Pioneer Movement Iseyin’s (PMI) 2017 annual week holding in Iseyin, Oyo State, will focus on the prevalence of non-communicable diseases in Oyo State and Nigeria.
According to a statement by the President, Bolanle Azeez, the objective of this year’s lecture is to shed light on non-communicable diseases, most of which patients know nothing about and attribute superstitious causes and treatments to.
Azeez said the lecture, to be delivered by a renowned Prof. Fatimah Abdul Kareem of the Morbid Anatomy Department, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, is unique, being the first time a female would deliver the PMI annual week lecture.
He said: “This is symbolic as the movement’s effort to encourage the girl child education and motivate our female youth to be determined towards getting educated.”
Pioneer Movement Iseyin, in its over 30 years of existence, among others, has enhanced the quality of the Iseyin Local Government library with donation of books, materials and equipment for the use of the health centre towards provision of proper health care.
The PMI has also awarded over 200 scholarships to secondary school and university students, enhanced girl-child, physically challenged and post-graduate teachers’ education with provision of special scholarship awards.
In order to generate competition and enhance quality of teaching, awards are being conferred on outstanding teachers within the community annually for the past 10 years.
It has also organised a yearly football competition, for the youths to serve as rallying point and unifying factor.
The movement has also undertaken rehabilitation of several dilapidated schools under its ‘School Rehabilitation Project,’ among others.
Other highlights of the annual week include finals of the Ajibike Bisiriyu memorial football competition, health checks and treatment, scholarship awards to indigent and physically challenged students and outstanding teachers awards.
Dignitaries expected to grace the occasion include Oba Abdul Ganiyu Adekunle Oloogunebi, the Aseyin of Iseyin; Dr. Azeez Popoola Adeduntan, Oyo State Commissioner for Health; Alhaji Azeez Boladale, Chairman Bolamark Engineering, the PMI’s Patron; Mr. Jelili Owonikoko (SAN); Alhaji Muibi Adesina, Director of Medical Laboratory Services, LAUTECH Osogbo and Afeez Oyetoro, a veteran actor and erudite lecturer.
Pioneer Movement Iseyin was formed in 1986 when most of the members were aspiring undergraduates, with a view to championing the socio-economic and educational development of Iseyin and its environs.
The Movement has since blossomed into a leading developmental organisation in Oyo State and even Nigeria.