Nigeria Still Talking About Open Defecation In 21st Century Shocking – Clean Nigeria
142 out of the 774 local government areas in Nigeria have been certified open defecation free by federal government with Jigawa State ranking first position, Clean Nigeria has reported.
National Co-ordinator, Clean Nigeria, Use The Toilet Campaign Conference, Mrs.Chizoma Opara disclosed this in Awka at a One Day Sensitization Programme organized on “Clean Nigeria, Use The Toilet Campaign”, by the National Water Resources Building Network (SE) Center, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, in collaboration with Clean Nigeria, Use The Toilet and Environment Development Initiative for Africa (EDIA).
Opara who spoke on Nigeria’s efforts to encourage better sanitation in the country, described poor water supply and poor hygiene as well as environmental degradation as a big challenge in Nigeria, announcing that three local government areas in Anambra State such as Anambra East, Aguata and Nnewi South three local government areas have been certified open defecation free by the federal government.
She called on Nigerians to develop the spirit of patriotism in the comprehensive war against open defecation in every parts of the country with a view to reducing it to barest minimum, saying that the objectives of the sensitization campaign were hinged on advocacy on behavioural change, imbibing a whole lot of culture and capacity building among Nigerians for holistic fight of the holocaust in the country by all.
According to her, the organization is coming up with a new strategy anchored in five pillars, which include funding, creating of an enabling environment, environmental awareness campaign, advocacy and communication among others, calling on those in the private sector and philanthropists in the country to key into the drive to change the narrative of open defecation in Nigeria, pointing out that government cannot do it alone.
In his opening remarks, the Chairman on the occasion and the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Anambra State Water Resources Management Agency, Urban Water Asset Holdings Corporation, Awka, Engr. Ike Obi Ejiofor, said that the essence of the event was to interact and to drive the five states in the South-East to clean and hygienic environment.
He described the attendance of the event by the five Commissioners for Power and Water Resources in the South- East as a clear testament that the Co-ordinator of the sensitization campaign had a very strong strategy, adding that in 2019 and 2020 to be precise that Anambra state was declared open defecation free with particular reference to Anambra East, Aguata and Nnewi South Local Government Areas by federal government.
Also, the Acting Vice-Chancellor, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Professor Ike Chebelu, represented by Professor Ada Omeyi, said that the theme of the event is what his administration is working on in the University community, and thanked all who graced the event, especially Governor Soludo for given the institution running water.
He described open defecation as unhealthy anywhere in the world, pointing out that the event is very good and important to Nigerians, saying that his office is doing everything within its powers to keep the institution clean in line with the objectives of the campaign and to ensure that water runs in all corners of the University.
From him, the Director-General, National Water Resources Institute, Kaduna, Professor E. A. Adamu, represented by Mr. Mike Nwode, stated that the sensitization campaign is apt and timely considering the efforts federal government is making to achieve the sustenable Development Development Goal six targeting on universal access to safe and affordable water and access to sanitation and hygiene to end open defecation by 2030 in the country, pointing out that Nigeria is losing about four hundred and fifty-five billion naira to poor sanitation annually.
Earlier, the Traditional Ruler of Umuawulu Community, Igwe Dr. Juel Egwuonwu, appealed to Nigerian government at all levels and wealthy Nigerians to join forces with government in funding Clean Nigeria:Use The Toilet Campaign to save Nigerians, especially the children from contracting dreaded diseases associated with poor sanitation and hygienic environment.
In his contribution, the Member representing Ihiala two constituency in Anambra State House of Assembly and Chairman House Committee on Power and Water Resources, Hon.Golden Iloh, described Anambra State as a model where the leadership of the state wants to build leaveable and sustainable mega city, promising that he will not hesitate to initiating a move to make a law in the state house on prohibition of open defecation in the state within three months.
The Anambra State Commissioner for Power and Water Resources, Engr. Julius Chukwuemeka, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr Victor Ezekwo, described the Charles Soludo administration as wonderful and resounding, noting that it is working in all sectors of the state economy simultaneously, referencing the current running water in Nnewi, Awka and Onitsha as a clear examples.
Delivering a lecture on “Exploring Entrepreneurial Opportunities In Wash Sector For Youths Empowerment”, the Director, National Water Resources Capacity Building Network (NWRCBNet SE), UNIZIK, Awka, Professor Emma Ezenwaji, challenged Nigerian youths to come together and form wash associations at community level to solve holistically the challenges of the campaign in the country, especially goal six of the Social Development Goals and as well drive home the Clean Nigeria, Use The Toilet Campaign of the federal government in every length and breathe of the country.
In another lecture on “The Role of Young People in Clean Nigeria Campaign, the Co-ordinator, Youth Water, Sanitation and hygiene (Wash) Initiative Africa, Mr.Nature Uchenna Obiakor,urged Nigerian youths and other stakeholders in the sector to see the issues of water, environmental and physical hygiene as a collective responsibility of every Nigerian with a view to encourage the youths drive meaningful and impactful development programmes in the country, especially in the area of service to humanity.
From him,Engr.Francis Ekwempu of the Environment Development Initiative for Africa (EDAI), stated that any money committed in the Clean Nigeria Campaign is not in vein, but a commitment to improve healthy living and disease free Nigeria.
In their separate speeches, the Commissioners for Power and Water Resources, Ebonyi and Enugu States, represented by Mr. Echebiri Udochukwu and Ogbu Christopher, respectively, commended the efforts of the facilitators of the sensitization campaign, expressing the hope that together the people can build a better Nigerian society deviod of all forms of disease associated with poor sanitation.
The event which was graced by the Traditional Ruler of Uwani Umuoka and the Chairman Traditional Rulers Council, Udi Local Government Area, Enugu State, Igwe Dr.Uche A. Alugwu, featured presentation of award to Hon. Ike Obi Ejiofor, among others, in recognition of his outstanding services to humanity in wash advocacy and supports by Youth Wash Initiative Africa.
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