By Prisca Sam-Duru

THURSADAY, April 7, 2016, will remain an important day for popular TV host, Edak Willie as she launched the Edak Willie Empowerment Foundation alongside her book on clean environment for students titled, Environment/Health Handbook.

Iroko Percussion of Africa performing at the event

The launching which also featured a documentary screening and workshop on Lassa  Fever/ Environmental Hygiene sensitisation for young Nigerians, was held at the main auditorium of the Nigerian Institute Of International Affairs, NIIA, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Diverse audience

The well attended event had his royal highness, Oba Dokun Thompson, the Olooni of Eti Oni, Osun State as the father of the day. Dr Charles Elikwu from Department of Medical Teaching Hospital, Babcock University Teaching Hospital, Illisan, Ogun State was the key note speaker. Others who delivered papers were Dr. (Mrs.) Celina Maduemezia and Dr. Dominic Ukpong.

The unique thing about the event was that in trying to reach the diverse audience across the country, Edak Willie utilised several forms of art that complemented the paper presentations.

The documentary film exposed several factors most especially, dirty environment which are responsible for epidermic of outbreak  in the country. It emphasises on preventive measures such as ensuring clean environment as well as good hygiene to keep the country free from epidermics.

The book,  Environment/Health Handbook, is targeted at African children from basic 11 to those in the last years of post primary school. It also comes in handy for anyone who wishes to teach matters of community health and environmental hygiene to younger children. Specifically, Environment/Health Handbook provides important tips on what is Lassa fever, how do people get Lassa fever, symptoms, treatment, how to clean and disinfect environment around a person infected with lassa fever, etc.

Iroko Percussion of Africa, a 7 piece band member led by Samson Olawale was among the stage performances that spiced the event. Theirs was an interesting showcase of the beauty of African talking drum.

Versatile artiste, vocalist, dancer, lyricist and judge of reality show, Nigerian Idol, Yinka Davies and Albert Kanu also thrilled guests with spell-binding performances.

“The need for a better environment, a clean environment, informed the foundation”, Edak Willie began explaining adding that “I come from an environment that is clean always, this has been a passion for me. To ensure this, we decide to involve the young ones so as to catch them young. Whatever values you give a child, he grows up with it and he will not depart from it. It is difficult to teach an old person something new.”