The Honourable Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Terlumum Utsev, has urged State Governments, Development Partners, and Civil Society Organizations to accelerate efforts towards making Nigeria Open Defecation Free (ODF) by 2025.
Speaking through Mr. Olu Daniels Ibiyemi, Director IV of the Department of Water Quality Control and Sanitation, Prof. Utsev delivered this appeal during the award ceremony celebrating Ikenne Local Government Area (LGA) in Ogun State for achieving ODF status.
At the event on Tuesday, in Ikenne, Ogun State, Prof. Utsev underscored the impact of open defecation on health, education, dignity, and economic productivity, especially among women and children.
He highlighted the importance of the “Clean Nigeria: Use the Toilet” campaign, launched in 2019, which aims to eliminate open defecation nationwide by 2025 through community engagement, political support, and resource allocation. As of October 2024, 135 LGAs across Nigeria have achieved ODF status, but Prof. Utsev called for increased investments and commitment to meet the 2025 goal.
The Minister applauded the efforts of His Excellency, Prince Dapo Abiodun, Executive Governor of Ogun State, for his strong commitment to improving residents’ welfare. Prof. Utsev urged households, government bodies, development partners, and civil society groups to work together to secure sustainable, universal access to sanitation.
Her Excellency, Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun, the First Lady of Ogun State and the State-Led Sanitation Ambassador, delivered a keynote address celebrating Ikenne LGA’s success as a reflection of Ogun State’s dedication to advancing Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) programs. Mrs. Abiodun reiterated Governor Dapo Abiodun’s commitment to fostering residents’ well-being through sustainable WASH initiatives, calling for ongoing dedication from all stakeholders to ensure a lasting end to open defecation in Nigeria.
Hon. Olufemi Ilori-Oduntan, Honourable Commissioner for Rural Development of Ogun State, welcomed guests by emphasizing the award ceremony’s role as an inspiration for other communities across Ogun State. She encouraged all communities to support the government’s efforts to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 6—universal access to clean water and sanitation.
Mr. Sola Ogunbo, Programme Manager of the Ogun State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA), noted that 171 communities within Ikenne are now Open Defecation Free. He stressed the need to maintain this progress to ensure lasting improvements in sanitation standards across Ogun State.
The event featured goodwill messages from Development Partners, a drama performance, and a dance exhibition, celebrating Nigeria’s advancements in sanitation and the collective effort towards a healthier future.
