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The Oyo State Government in conjunction with the United Nations Children’s Fund, Lagos Field Office, have urged residents of the state to recommit to the practice of proper handwashing methods.
The Chairman, Oyo State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency, Mr Babalola Afobaje stated this during the commemoration of the 2024 Global Handwashing Day, held at Okolo, Ibarapa-East Local Government Area of the state.
The event was themed ‘Why are Clean Hands Still Important?’
Stressing the importance of hand washing with soap as a health necessity and life-saving, Afobaje
said imbibing the habit would help to prevent the spread of diseases such as cholera, diarrhoea and pneumonia.
He disclosed that significant progress had been made by the government in promoting hygiene in Oyo State, through different efforts with the support of UNICEF and other developmental partners, harping on the importance of maintaining and improving handwashing practices beyond public health emergencies.
The Chairman acknowledged the support of partners such as UNICEF and Sato Lixil in promoting health hygiene in the state while calling on the media to play a critical role in spreading the message of handwashing to the nooks and crannies of Nigeria.
“Each of us has a role to play in making handwashing a universal practice.
“Handwashing with soap is important for prevention of sanitation-related diseases. It will prevent us in Oyo State, particularly Ibarapa-East Local Government from getting sick,” the chairman said.
In his remarks, UNICEF Water and Sanitation (WASH) Specialist, Mr Monday Johnson stressed that Ibarapa-East Local Government was very key in the handwashing campaign, adding that it was the reason the 2024 global event was celebrated in Okolo.
Johnson who stated that handwashing practice would prevent disease outbreaks and also reduce the impact of future pandemics, added that the practice would also combat pandemics and support efforts aimed at eliminating Neglected Tropical Diseases.
The UNICEF Specialist acknowledged that some parts of Ibarapa-East still lacked access to toilet facilities, and expressed the hope that UNICEF, through the support of RUWASSA and Sato Lixil,
would soon end open defecation in Ibarapa-East Local Government.
He appealed to market men and women, teachers, parents and guardians to push for handwashing practices in their homes.
The Director, Community Mobilisation and Hygiene Education (OYORUWASSA), Mr Adegoke Ayodele, called on parents and stakeholders to key into the Sustainable Development Goals target with a focus on access to water and sanitation.
Ayodele said parents and teachers must also accelerate efforts to improve hygiene services in the state.
yodele said parents and teachers must also accelerate efforts to improve hygiene services in the state.
“Help the Oyo State government to amplify hygiene messages and inspire your children to take responsibility for their health and the health of others,” he said, urging stakeholders to take concrete actions aimed at ensuring universal hand hygiene.
To commemorate the 2024 Global Handwashing Day on October 15, the Director, Environmental Health Services, Ibarapa East LGA, Mrs Elizabeth Akintola demonstrated handwashing techniques in the presence of school pupils and parents present at the event.
In attendance at the occasion were the Vice Chairman, Ibarapa-East Local Government Area, Hon. Olakunle Jacob and other members of the local government.
Others were the General Manager, OYORUWASSA, Mr Mumeeni Adeduntan; Director Environmental Services, Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, Mrs Bukola Areo; representative of Sato Lixil, Michael Adeg
