Anambra State government as well as other stakeholders have been called to join in raising awareness on dangers of open defecation and importance of safe hand washing for healthy society.
The Minister of Water Resources, Engineer Suleiman Adamu, made the call in his opening remark while Flagging off the National Volunteers Programme on Hand Washing and Clean Nigeria Campaign on COVID-19 Prevention, held at the Conferenc Hall of the Ministry of Public Utilities, Awka, Anambra State.
Engineer Adamu represented by the Coordinator of the Program in the South East, Mrs Chinwe Obiano, hinted that the National Youth Volunteers Program is one of the interventions of the Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Water Resources, to curb the COVID-19 pandemic .
He stated that the program involves the engagement of One hundred youth Volunteers in each of the 774 local government Areas across the country for Community sensitization and awareness Creation on safe Water, Sanitation and hygiene practice for COVID-19 prevention over a period of 3 months.
The Commissioner for Public Utilities, Mr Emeka Ezenwwnne, commended Governor Willie Obiano and Wife, Chief Mrs Ebelechukwu Obiano, for demonstrating good leadership style among other States in South East by the recent declaration of Anambra East Local Government Area Open Defecation Free.
In her Address, the WASH Manager, UNICEF, Mrs Mamita Thakkar, informed that the program was geared towards engaging youths as hygiene ambassadors, since according to her, young people have potential and willingness to bring about momentous change.
She assured that UNICEF remains committed towards building capacity and skills of the volunteers on Water and Sanitation, Socal Mobilization Technic, and hygiene promotion approaches to ensure that they deliver on the core mandate.
The Chairman / CEO of Havilah Clean Environmental Foundation, Pastor Gbemiga Olakunle, who quoted the popular saying that Water is life, explained that without provision of clean and drinkable water for domestic use and other purposes including hygiene and Sanitation, little can be achieved in the maintenance of Clean environment, which may eventually hinder the achievement of the presidential Mandate of ending Open defecation by 2025.
In their separate speeches, the traditional rulers of Umueri in Anambra East, Igwe Ben Emeka, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Public Utilities, Mr Laz Okafor, and that of the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Barrister Mrs Pauline Nwandu represented, by the Program Manager, Mr Emeka Okwuogu, commended the initiative as it will go a long way in safeguarding the environment and promoting good health.
They promised to take the message to their various Communities and as well ensure government interventions in the provision of basic facilities like public toilets and Water facilities for hygiene and Sanitation purposes not just in rural areas but also in the Urban areas.
Some of the youths who spoke also pledged to join the campaign in sensitizing their peers and other people on the need to shun open defecation and embrace healthy living.
