Editor
…Celebrates 5 Years of ODF Campaign
By Fatima Saka
The Federal Government of Nigeria has unveiled a Revised Strategic Plan for the Clean Nigeria: Use the Toilet Campaign as part of efforts to curb open defecation nationwide.
This initiative, spearheaded by the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, was launched on Tuesday to commemorate World Toilet Day 2024. The Presidential Launch also marked the 5th Anniversary of the campaign.
The event, held at the State House Conference Hall in Abuja, was presided over by Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima, GCON, who chairs the Clean Nigeria Campaign Steering Committee. Represented by the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Senator Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia, the Vice President highlighted the campaign’s notable successes since its inception in 2019.
The Vice president emphasizied that Clean Nigeria Campaign has been transformative in addressing open defecation nationwide. “Initiatives like the declaration of a state of emergency on open defecation and programs such as PEWASH, SURWASH, and the WASH Strategic Plan have significantly advanced our progress toward the 2025 target.”
He stressed the importance of sustained collaboration among stakeholders, including state and local governments, development partners, and private sector actors, to maintain the campaign’s momentum.
“This administration remains committed to making sanitation and hygiene key priorities in our national development agenda,” he added.
The Honourable Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr. Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, FNSE, highlighted key milestones achieved under Presidential Executive Order 009, which inaugurated the campaign.
He added that these accomplishments include the certification of 135 local government areas (LGAs) and over 30,000 communities as Open Defecation Free (ODF), with additional states and LGAs currently undergoing verification.
“The launch of the Revised Clean Nigeria Strategic Plan is a critical step in accelerating progress. Achieving an open defecation-free Nigeria by 2025 requires sustained advocacy, strategic partnerships, and unrelenting dedication,” Utsev noted.
Goodwill messages were delivered by representatives from the National Assembly and development partners, with UNICEF commending Nigeria’s efforts on behalf of the international community.
Event Highlights:
The official launch of the Revised Strategic Plan.
Recognition of Clean Nigeria Champions, including the Honourable Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru (represented by Major General U.B. Abubakar), and the Head of Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, OON (represented by Mrs. Tinuke Watti).
A celebration of the campaign’s 5th Anniversary.
In his closing remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, Mr. Richard Pheelangwah, expressed gratitude to participants, including state governors, lawmakers, development partners, and the media, for their contributions to the campaign’s success.
The event was attended by an esteemed audience, including representatives of state governments, National Assembly members, River Basin Authority officials, development partners, and key stakeholders in the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) sector.
