………addressing root causes of open defecation
By Fatima Saka
Vice President Kashim Shettima has inaugurated the commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to eradicate open defecation by 2025.
During the inauguration of the Steering Committee for the “Clean Nigeria: Use the Toilet” Campaign at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, the Vice President stressed the importance of mobilizing strategic stakeholders, utilizing technology, and implementing innovative and sustainable solutions to enhance the nation’s sanitation standards.
Senator Shettima emphasized the profound significance of hygiene, health, and their influence on development and prosperity. He urged the committee to align its efforts with broader government initiatives in poverty reduction, education, and economic growth.
Amid the recent cholera cases reported in the country, the Vice President encouraged the committee to intensify their efforts and devise solutions to address issues such as wastewater management, contaminated water sources, and open defecation nationwide.
VP Shettima expressed confidence that the team members would adopt research-driven strategies to fulfill their commitment to promoting cleanliness in the nation.
He underscored the importance of embracing behavioral change and fostering a lifestyle that prioritizes proper sanitation practices, hygiene education, and community involvement to achieve the campaign’s objectives successfully.
The Vice President emphasized the necessity of engaging the resources of both the public and private sectors to implement innovative solutions effectively.
He further highlighted the importance of real-time monitoring, data collection, and impact assessment through technology while acknowledging the vital role of youth and women in instigating change.
Speaking on the primary responsibilities, the Vice President urged the committee to remain vigilant in addressing challenges arising from climate change, urbanization, and population growth, emphasizing their role as advocates for restoring the health and dignity of the citizens.
The meeting, which marks the fifth gathering since the commencement of the Clean Nigeria Campaign in 2019, serves as a platform to assess the progress made thus far.
Earlier, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, highlighted the severity of the cholera epidemic affecting 33 states in the country, with 2,000 cases and 33 fatalities. He mentioned the establishment of a cabinet committee by the Federal Executive Council to tackle the issue comprehensively.
The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, presented the report on the ‘Clean Nigeria: Use the Toilet Campaign’. He outlined the challenges and achievements since its inception in 2016, which was inaugurated and enacted into law in 2019.
The campaign aims to eradicate open defecation in Nigeria by 2025 and involves mobilizing stakeholders at all levels to combat the practice, which currently ranks Nigeria as the second-largest country practicing open defecation globally, after India.
The Minister highlighted the economic, social, and health implications of open defecation on the country, emphasizing the need for concerted efforts to address the issue effectively.
