In an effort to improve sanitation and hygiene nationwide, the Federal Government of Nigeria, through the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, in collaboration with the Benue State Government, convened a high-level stakeholders’ sensitization meeting in Makurdi on Thursday.
The event was held at the Deputy Governor’s Conference Hall and focused on scaling up advocacy and implementation of the Clean Nigeria: Use the Toilet campaign.
This development was disclosed in a statement signed by Mrs. Funmi Imuetinyan, Director of Information and Public Relations, on Friday.
The meeting aimed to consolidate progress under the Open Defecation Free (ODF) campaign and accelerate the attainment of ODF status across all 23 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Benue State. The initiative reinforces the Federal Government’s commitment to ending open defecation, improving public health, and ensuring access to clean water and sanitation.
In her opening remarks, Mrs. Chizoba Opara, National Coordinator of the campaign, highlighted the broad impact of sanitation on national development, touching on health, education, productivity, and safety. She reaffirmed the government’s commitment through strategic actions such as:
Implementation of the National Roadmap to End Open Defecation by 2030
Revalidation of the campaign by Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima, GCON
Declaration of a State of Emergency in the WASH sector under the National Action Plan
Execution of the Sustainable Urban and Rural WASH (SURWASH) programme
Expansion of the WASH Information Management System (WASHIMS)
Establishment of multi-stakeholder coordination mechanisms
Annual WASHNORM surveys
Enforcement of Executive Order 009 on Open Defecation
Mrs. Opara urged all stakeholders to strengthen efforts and embrace collective responsibility in eliminating open defecation nationwide.
Hon. Ugwu Odoh, Benue State Commissioner for Water Resources, Environment and Climate Change, applauded the achievements of 11 LGAs that have attained ODF status: Gboko, Konshisha, Ushongo, Tarka, Vandeikya, Kwande, Obi, Oju, Apa, Agatu, and Ohimini. He credited traditional rulers, local councils, implementing partners, and BERWASSA for the milestone but stressed the need to extend ODF status to the remaining 12 LGAs. Plans are underway to transform WASH units into full departments for improved coordination and sustainability.
Mr. Akaa Nyam, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, emphasized the meeting’s importance in driving progress toward Sustainable Development Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation for all. He noted significant gains since the campaign’s 2019 launch and advocated for sustained community engagement and behavior change.
In his closing remarks, Rt. Hon. Godwin Abu Edoh, Chairman of the Benue State House Committee on Water Resources and Environment, endorsed a grassroots-focused approach and called for consistent funding, stronger enforcement, and multi-tier government collaboration.
The event featured key presentations on:
Overview of the Clean Nigeria: Use the Toilet Campaign
Strengthening roles of LGA WASH departments
Handwashing and sanitation systems
Innovative strategies for eliminating open defecation in remaining LGAs
Stakeholder engagement with local officials, traditional leaders, and civil society
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Group sessions on implementing the revised Clean Nigeria Campaign (CNC) Roadmap
Goodwill messages were delivered by representatives from UNICEF, Self-Help Africa, the Benue State Ministry of Health, BEN GONET, and the Gwen East LGA Council.
