Editor
In anticipation Global Handwashing Day, the Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation and the National Task Group on Sanitation (NTGS), has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting hand hygiene as a pivotal aspect of public health in Nigeria and ensuring the triumph of this United Nations initiative.
The ongoing advocacy emphasizes the critical role of proper handwashing in disease prevention and the protection of the health and well-being of Nigerians.
Addressing a press briefing convened Tuesday in the Ministry’s Conference Room in Abuja,
During the ministerial press briefing, Honourable Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr. Prof. Joseph Terlumum Utsev, underscored the government’s unwavering dedication to advancing handwashing with soap as a fundamental component of public health and well-being. He characterized handwashing with soap as a cost-effective and easily accessible “do-it-yourself” shield against sanitation and hygiene-related illnesses.
Prof. Utsev further asserted that proper hand hygiene is indispensable in warding off disease outbreaks and plays a significant role in mitigating the repercussions of future pandemics.
While underscoring the importance of the 2024 Global Handwashing Day theme, “Why Are Clean Hands Still Important,” Prof. Utsev elucidated that it is intended to serve as a poignant reminder of the perpetual need to prioritize and elevate hand hygiene practices, even in the absence of health crises or outbreaks.
He reiterated that the theme underscores the significance of instilling a culture of cleanliness and health, urging individuals and communities to perceive proper handwashing as a simple yet potent tool in illness prevention and overall well-being. He advocated for the integration of hand hygiene into daily routines and the acknowledgment of its fundamental role in health maintenance and disease prevention.
The Honourable Minister revealed that the Ministry, alongside the National Task Group on Sanitation (NTGS), which functions as the coordinating entity for Sanitation and Hygiene Initiatives at the National level, has crafted an extensive media sensitization campaign in anticipation of the Global Handwashing Day celebration on October 15, 2024.
In his closing remarks, the Honourable Minister of State, Federal Ministry Water Resources and Sanitation, Rt. Hon. Bello Muhammad Goronyo, Esq., underscored that Global Handwashing Day aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 6, which advocates for the awareness of proper handwashing and hygiene practices.
He conveyed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for his steadfast endorsement of the Ministry’s endeavors and acknowledged the contributions of the Honourable Minister, Water and Sanitation Stakeholders, and the media in propelling the Renewed Hope Agenda for the benefit of all Nigerians.
Mrs. Elizabeth Ugoh, Director, Water Quality Control and Sanitation, Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, highlighted in her introductory remarks that the objective of the briefing was to convene government officials, stakeholders, development partners, civil society, and the media to underscore the significance of hand hygiene for global health.
She emphasized that the campaign seeks to foster behavioral change, particularly among children, by advocating for regular handwashing as a pivotal aspect of personal and public health.
Key highlights of the event comprised handwashing activities at Garki Old Market, a Road Walk, and a Press Briefing.
