Nigeria flags-off Youth Wash Campaign against open Defecation
Ene Audu
Nigeria’s Government has inaugurated an initiative tagged; YOUTHWASH STRATEGY that will engage Corps Members as advocates in its action plan towards improving access to sustainable wash services for all Nigerians.
The Minister of Water Resources, Engineer Suleiman Adamu who flagged-off the initiative at the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, FCT Permanent Orientation Camp in Kubwa, Abuja, the nation’s capital said Corps Members will be engaged to champion the advocacy and reverse the country’s poor wash indices for a clean environment and healthy living.
To achieve this and ensure a sustainable approach to the Youth WASH initiative, the Federal Ministry of Environment signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development for a robust implementation of the strategy at the launch.
“These initiative clearly demonstrate the strong political will of the Federal Government in reversing the narrative on Nigeria’s poor WASH indices and providing lasting solutions to identified challenges and improving access to sustainable WASH services for all Nigerians”, the Minister said.
In his remark, the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Sunday Dare appreciated the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and other YOUTHWASH partners for identifying the critical role of Corps Members in driving Government policies to success.
He said Corps Members have the potential to practice and spread the message of YOUTHWASH initiative in all rural and urban communities thereby accelerating the attainment of one of the country’s sustainable development goals.
The Director General of NYSC, Brigadier General Yusha’u Ahmed in his welcome address applauded the efforts of Federal Government in promoting access to clean water and proper sanitation across the country.
He reiterated the commitment of the Scheme towards supporting the successful implementation of Government policies and programmes through effective utilisation of skills and potentials of Corps Members all over the Federation.
“I wish to assure that, as a strategic partner, the NYSC is ready to play roles in the implementation of this programme as may be determined by our ministry.”
During the signing of the MOU, some strategic partners like the YOUTH WASH Network Africa, WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA delivered goodwill messages to support the initiative and lauded the two Ministries for their key roles in the Clean Nigeria project.
