BENIN CITY- The Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Hon. Zakawanu Garuba has stressed the need for collaboration with the government and NGO’s towards ensuring good health in the society.

He made the observation at the Mother’s Forum 2008, organised by Drug Free Association of Nigeria, which has as it’s theme: “Drug Abuse and HIV/AIDS linkage,” which was held yesterday in Benin City. He stated that health indeed deserved every attention because without it, development was almost impossible and totally meaningless.

Hon. Garuba’s paper on the ‘Role of legislators in Health Matters’, was presented by Mrs. Shade Bello who represented the Speaker at the Ceremony.

In His Speech, the Speaker highlighted the principle of the Rio declaration (UN 1993) which clearly states that “human beings are at the center of concerts for sustainable development. (They are entitled to a health and productive life in harmony with nature.”

He, however, noted that this principle remained valid even fifteen years after its first public adoption by the United Nations.

In a goodwill message delivered by Mrs. F.O. Otto, who represented the Hon. Minister of Women Affairs, she encouraged Nigerians to work to uplift the quality of life of Women. She said that Non-Governmental Organisations were important tools in ensuring a healthy society.

She explained that mothers were loaded with responsibility of building homes and urged everyone to endeavour to bring lasting solution to drug abuse, HIV/ AIDS, maternal mortality and other societal ills.

Earlier on, the co – ordinator, mother forum, Deaconess Beatrice T. Osifo in her speech commended such offices as NAFDAC, Federal Ministry of Health, NDLEA, Edo State Government for supporting the association.

She reiterated that the cardinal aim of the forum for mothers was to look at issues affecting the society and the entire family.