The Oyo State government and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Lagos Field Office, have urged residents of the state to recommit to the practice of proper handwashing method.
The Chairman, Oyo State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (OYORUWASSA), Mr Babalola Afobaje, stated this at an event held in the Ibarapa-East Local Government Area (LGA) of the state to commemorate the Year 2024 Global Handwashing Day.
He emphasised the life-saving importance of handwashing with soap, calling it a health necessity that prevents the spread of diseases such as cholera, diarrhoea and pneumonia.
Afobaje noted that significant progress has been made by the government in promoting hygiene in Oyo State, through different efforts, with the support of UNICEF and other developmental partners, affirming that it is essential to maintain and improve 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, calling on the media to play a critical role in spreading the message of handwashing to the nooks and crannies of Nigeria.
He said, “Each of us has a role to play in making handwashing a universal practice. Handwashing with soap is an important prevention for sanitation-related diseases. It will prevent us in Oyo State, particularly Ibarapa-East Local Government Area from getting sick.”
In his own words, the UNICEF Water and Sanitation (WASH) Specialist, Mr Monday Johnson, stressed that Ibarapa-East local Government Area is very key in handwashing campaign, saying that is why the 2024 global event was celebrated there.
Johnson stated that handwashing practice prevents disease outbreaks, reduces the impact of future pandemics, combats pandemics, while supporting efforts to eliminate Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs).
The UNICEF specialist acknowledged that some parts of Ibarapa-East still lack access to toilet facilities, disclosing that UNICEF hopes to end open defecation in the Ibarapa-East LGA very soon through the support of RUWASSA and Sato Lixil.
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 all stakeholders to key into the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target, which focuses on access to water and sanitation.
He said, “Parents and teachers must accelerate efforts to improve hygiene services in the state, and urged all stakeholders to take concrete actions to ensure universal hand hygiene.
“Help the Oyo state government amplify hygiene messages and inspire your children to take responsibility for their health and the health of others.”
To commemorate the 2024 Global Handwashing Day on October 15, the Director, Environmental Health Services, Ibarapa East LGA, Mrs Elizabeth Akintola, demonstrated hand washing techniques in the presence of school pupils and parents present.
The event was attended by the Vice-chairman, Ibarapa-East LGA, Hon. Olakunle Jacob, who led other members of the local government to the event.
Also in attendance 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 Adegbe; traditional rulers and residents of the town.
The theme for the 2024 Global Handwashing Day is: Why are clean hands still important?
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