Lawmaker representing Ogbomoso North state constituency in the Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon. Olawumi Bimbo Oladeji has bagged another award of recognition for her legislative performance and contributions to the passage of the Dog Amendment Bill 2019 into law.
The award was the latest among the three awards bestowed on the lawmaker for her initiative on the said law.
Hon Oladeji, who is the Chairman House of Assembly Committee on Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, was overwhelmed with the honor gotten so far on the dog amendment law.
She expressed surprise that the dog bill which attracted criticism in some quarters on the social media while going through legislative processes could also attract awards from three different international, national and local organizations.
According to her, “social media was awash with nasty things about me, that how can I be working on dog bill without paying more attention on human beings, and recently, I came across a story where dogs attacked a popular retired football player and killed him in Gambia.
“I never knew my efforts on the law would be known throughout the federation, National president of the Veterinary Medical Doctors Association, AIG Aishat came to Oyo State to give me an award on this bill. I was given another award late 2022, at UI Conference Centre, Ibadan”
The lawmaker, who is seeking re-election under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogbomoso North, said the latest award would spur her to do more, promising to continue to put in her best and intensify effort at making life better for humanity, her constituency and the society in general.
“All the amendments you raised now will be looked into, by the grace of God, I’ll be back here to continue the good work.”
Earlier before the presentation of the award, President, Society for Animal Rights Protection (SARP), Dr. Ibikunle Faramade, explained that the gesture was to appreciate Hon. Oladeji’s contribution to the promotion of animal health and animal welfare through the enactment of Dog (Amendment) bill 2019 that has been signed into law by Excellency, Engr. Seyi Makinde.
Dr. Faramade stated further that the society and veterinary medical doctors would work closely with the lawmaker in the years ahead saying “we know that this is not your last opportunity to serve your people in the House of Assembly.
“There are other laws bordering on Animal Health, Animal Welfare, Meat Inspection etc. that require urgent review. These laws have many obsolete provisions that are no longer relevant. Some are no longer punitive to serve as deterrent to offenders.
“Some require the insertion of new sections in order to keep faith with the contemporary trends in tandem with international best practices. We can’t wait and we look forward to your return to the Assembly.
“Rabies is a fatal disease that is 100% preventable through vaccination. Our organization would continue to work with relevant stakeholders to become aware of the law through series of advocacy, through multiple media and platforms.
“In fact, we have started this since October, 2022, through secondary school visitations and organisation of free Antirabies vaccination campaign in some peri-urban communities in Akinyele Local Government Area. We also use radio stations regularly to reach out to the general public in order to make sure that the message is passed across to the people. We shall undoubtedly pursue this until all our people are truly sensitized,” Dr. Faramade said.
Members of the SARP in attendance during the presentation included Dr Adedayo Adejuyigbe, Dr. Olowojaiye Abimbola, Dr. Taiwo Adebiyi and Mofoluwake Ibitoye.
Packaged by Kunle Gazali
