Ministry Advocates For More Awareness On Handwashing Campaign

The Federal Ministry of Environment in Nigeria says it will continue to create awareness on the importance of hand washing as an effective and affordable way in preventing diseases.

Director of Pollution and Control and Environmental Health Department in the Ministry Mr Olubumi Olusanya, stated this at the sensitisation workshop and quiz competition  for students and teachers on the commemoration of the 2023 global hand washing day held in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

“To kick start 2023 global hand washing day in Nigeria as you aware 15th October of every year since 2008 have been  dedicated to promote awareness and understanding of the importance of handwashing day, as an effective and affordable ways of preventing diseases and to save lives.

This year’s global hand washing day, October 15 falls on Sunday, it will be mark on Monday16th and to kick start the activities towards commemoration, We are starting with our children due to the fact that we recognise our children are agent of Change we wants to imbibe in them the principle of Hand washing.” He explained.

He said few schools were selected in the Federal Capital Territory FCT to assess their knowledge of the importance of hand washing.

This would also help the children to have access  to proper hand washing in a suitable way that will lead to disease prevention.

One of the reasons why we’re here today after we have tested their knowledge, experts are here to teach them the appropriate techniques of Handwashing and good sanitation practices, the essence is for them to imbibe this techniques and teach others.

He, however, commended the  Federal Ministry of Education,  Breakthrough Action Nigeria  and the Well-being Foundation Africa for their support and collaboration.

Federal Ministry of Education, Deputy Director, Sports Health and Education Mrs Akinba Aduke said  handwashing in schools is apt.

Reiterating the Ministry’s commitment to the programme, she said that the workshop would also help teach the children on the prevention of diseases.

“When you wash your hands,  you prevent yourself from so many diseases, diseases like cholera restrictive system diseases, diarrhoea, and others. the hands  are powerful tools we use these hands to do so many things like eating as you’re all aware before you eat, what do you do? You wash your hands. We use the hands for lifting objects. We use the hands for almost everything we do in our life, so handwashing is very important. we’re here this morning to sensitised and let people know the importance of hand washing.” She stated.

Representative of Breakthrough Action Nigeria,  Miss Meyiwa Ede said handwashing is one of the most important thing Children need to do at all times to protect their lives.

She also called on the general public to regularly commit to handwashing while also teaching others about the importance of hand washing.

Miss Ede Alao noted that handwashing is the simplest and most effective way Nigerians can be protected from a wide range of diseases.

“On this day we want to join the world in celebrating this most simple and effective way to prevent the spread of diseases by washing our hands with soap, handwashing is one of the most important things we can do to stay healthy.

It’s the simplest and most effective way we can protect ourselves from a wide range of diseases such as COVID-19, diarrhoea, pneumonia, and, of course, other infectious diseases. So on this day we want to urge everyone to regularly commit to regularly washing your hands, but not just washing your hands, but teaching others about the importance of hand washing and how to do it well.” She said.

She further stressed that the Breakthrough Action Nigeria is working with relevant stakeholders in the sector in promoting hand washing across the country.

Member of the Well-being Foundation Africa, Nsung Princess, said the workshop is to enlighten the children on the importance of handwashing.

According to her, “Most times we do forget to wash our hands we are here today to remind all of us on the importance of hygiene in washing our hands with running water and soap to reduced diseases and infections that could pose health emergencies.”

Three schools participated in the quiz competition, and Brethren school Ukako came first, Ecole d’ Excellence schools Ozoro, Abuja came second while Caleb Academy in Koroduma took third position.

The quiz competition was organised by the Federal Ministry of Environment in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Education, Breakthrough Action Nigeria, and Wellbeing Foundation Africa.
Handwashing Day is celebrated annually every October 15.

This year’s 2023 global Handwashing Day theme is ” Clean hands are within reach.”

 

 

 

Shakirat Sadiq