By Bukayo AgboluajeÂ
The University of Ibadan Health Service (UHS), in conjunction with the Oyo State Ministry of Health, has organised a one-day workshop for commercial food vendors within the campus.
Declaring the workshop opened, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic, Professor Aderonke Baiyeroju,said the university management appreciated the value of good health and staff wellbeing, and this was why every needed support was given to the UHS to organise the workshop.
Baiyeroju made the declaration on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Kayode Adebowale.
The aim of the workshop, according to the Director of the UHS, Dr. Aderonke Ajav is to begin an institutional journey to increase the health levels of all members of the University community by supporting one another to better recognize and intentionally shun bad practices and imbibe best practices.
She recalled that a few years ago, the UHS conducted training for food vendors, but the effort was not sustained.
Dr. Ajav said the expected outcome of this training is that food vendors would be in a better position to cater for and satisfy different categories of food needs, including those of the minority groups. She also said the programme would make UI the hub for training of food vendors and empower the society at large to correctly and adequately address current and emerging issues in food safety and hygiene.
Participants at the workshop included commercial food vendors/handlers on campus,  health commissioners of the various halls of residence, faculty presidents of students associations, Hall Wardens, Wellness Officers, representatives of religious bodies and staff unions, members of the Abadina Community, organic farmers, and the team from the Schools Health Unit, Ministry of Health, Oyo State.
Health checks were conducted for participants, and there were ample opportunities for questions and answers. Participants also agreed to implement all recommendations and sanctions for non-compliance.
Certificates were presented to all the registered participants.