BY ANTHONY OCHELA, ABUJA
Nigeria’s commitment to becoming Open Defecation Free (ODF) by 2030 has received a significant boost with the recent declaration of eight additional Local Government Areas (LGAs) as ODF across the two States of Kano and Kebbi.
Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, said the National Task Group on Sanitation (NTGS) has declared these eight LGAs ODF across two states, marking a critical step forward in Nigeria’s efforts to achieve the national ODF target.
According to a statement issued by Funmi Imuetinyan, Director Information and Public Relations, Prof. Utsev explained that “the NTGS, a multi-sectoral platform involving key stakeholders from relevant Ministries, Government Agencies, Development Partners, NGOs, and the Media, validated and declared the eight LGAs ODF during its monthly meeting held in Abuja on September 18, 2024.”
In giving a breakdown, the statement said the newly declared ODF LGAs in Kano State are Kiru, Bagwai, Dawakin Tofa, Gaya, Shanono, Gabasawa and Ungogo while In Kebbi State the LGAs is Shanga.
It said that with these additions, the Minister noted that the total number of ODF LGAs in the country now stands at 134.
The statement added that “This milestone underscores ongoing efforts to enhance public health, sanitation, and environmental sustainability across Nigeria.”
