FG Moves to End Open Defecation in Nigeria
ABUJA - (Federal Mimistry of Youth & Sports Development Report) - As part of efforts towards putting an end to open defecation in the country, the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare has assured that his Ministry will continue to collaborate with relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) as well as stakeholders in commitment to the "Clean Nigeria, Use the Toilet" campaign launched by the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Administration in 2019.
Sunday Dare gave the assurance on Thursday 12th January 2023 in his office in Abuja when the Minister of Water Resources, Suleiman Adamu (Engr) paid him a courtesy visit.
According to the release issued by the Press and Public Relations Unit of the Ministry, the Minister stated that Nigeria is ranked second among the nations in the world with the highest number of people practicing open defecation, estimated at over 48 million. He added that the practice has had negative effects on the populace, contributing to the country's inability to meet up with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
He stated further that the abysmal ranking prompted Mr. President to describe the statistics on open defecation and access to pipeborne water services and sanitation as disturbing, thus declaring his commitment to implementing the National Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Action Plan in consonance with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Charter.
Dare informed that to achieve this policy objective, his Ministry in 2021 held a nationwide sensitization programme tagged: "Clean Nigeria - Use the Toilet" Campaign which was carried out through lectures / trainings, distribution of posters, installation of Bill Boards / advertisements to educate Nigerians on the negative effects of open defecation across the six geopolitical zones, with youths as vanguard to help drive the campaign further.
In identifying the teeming Nigerian Youth as central to the realization of any policy objective of government, he assured that his Ministry will partner with the Water Resources Ministry through the NYSC Scheme to further drive the policy objective, using advocacy programmes.
Earlier, the Minister of Water Resources, Suleiman Adamu (Engr) stated that he was in the Ministry to seek collaboration on how to end open defecation in the country. He called on all levels of Government to continue to promote and prioritise disease control and prevention through adequate and equitable access to clean water, sanitation and hygiene services, so as to curtail the spread of diseases, while focusing on hygiene behaviour - change interventions.
In his welcome address, the Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Ismaila Abubakar (Alhaji) called for collective approach in the fight against open defecation through sensitization, advocacy and public enlightenment across the country.
Also speaking, the Acting Director - General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Christy Uba pledged total commitment of the Scheme to the campaign with a view to ensuring realization of the policy objectives on open defecation.
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