BY ANTHONY OCHELA, ABUJA
Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Professor Joseph Utsev has issued a call for action to state governments, development partners and civil society organisations to scale up initiatives toward making Nigeria open defecation-free by 2025.
Professor Utsev made the appeal during the celebration and award presentation to Ikenne Local Government Area in Ogun State for achieving open defecation-free status.
Represented at the event held on Tuesday at Ikenne by a Director in the Department of Water Quality Control and Sanitation, Mr Olu Daniels Ibiyemi, Utsev highlighted the profound impact of open defecation on health, education, dignity and economic productivity, particularly affecting women and children.
A statement issued by the Director of Information and Public Relations in the ministry, Funmi Imuetinyan said the minister emphasised the significance of ‘Clean Nigeria: Use the Toilet’ campaign launched in 2019, which aims to eliminate open defecation across the country by 2025 through robust community mobilisation, political commitment and resource allocation.
He added that as at October, 135 local government areas had attained ODF status and urged accelerated investment and action to achieve the 2025 target.
The minister commended the Ogun State governor, Dapo Abiodun for his unwavering commitment to improve the welfare of residents.
He also called for a unified and collaborative effort involving households, all levels of government, development partners and civil society organisations to ensure sustainable and universal access to sanitation.
In a keynote address, wife of the governor and sanitation ambassador, Mrs Bamidele Abiodun celebrated Ikenne’s remarkable accomplishment as a testament to Ogun State’s dedication to advance sustainable Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, WASH, initiatives.
Mrs Abiodun reaffirmed the commitment of Governor Abiodun to promote the well-being of residents through sustainable WASH initiatives.
She also called for sustained commitment from all stakeholders to ensure that the vision of Nigeria, free from open defecation becomes a lasting reality.
In a welcome address, the Commissioner for Rural Development, Olufemi Ilori-Oduntan, emphasised the award ceremony’s importance as an inspiring example for other communities in Ogun State.
Ilori-Oduntan encouraged all communities to align with government’s vision to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 6—universal access to clean water and sanitation.
Speaking on the scope of the achievement, Programme Manager of Ogun State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency, RUWASSA, Mr Sola Ogunbo announced that 171 communities within Ikenne are now Open Defecation Free.
Mr Ogunbo reiterated the need to maintain this progress for enduring improvements in sanitation standards across Ogun State.
