NGO commissions toilet facility in schools to end open defecation

By Hikmat Bamigboye, Abuja

In commemoration of the 2023 World Water Day, a Non-Governmental Organization has commissioned a 12 unit, three-block toilet facility, and three-block classroom for Junior Secondary School, Gwarinpa, to end open defecation, saying it is a clarion call for other NGOs to participate in nation building.

The Project Director of Sam Empowerment Foundation, Mrs. Kiema Ogunlana made the call in Abuja at the commemoration ceremony of World Water Day, and commissioning of the projects, adding that NGOs need to work hand in hand with the government.

Mrs Ogunlana emphasizes that the government cannot do everything for the masses, comparing the statistics of billions in Nigeria with the current budget, “how much money to go around all the basic amenities we need in our schools”.

“This sanitation facility is our latest project and we’re still going to do more. For this year, we commissioned this particular facility to commemorate the world Water Day, which has the theme Accelerating Change”. Ogunlana said

“That’s why we want government support, partners with government agencies and other NGOs also do things like this because it takes nothing to put a smile on children’s faces”.she added

We believe that we have to reach out to replicate the change we want to see because we believe that change begins for you.

She lamented that before now, students indulged in open defecation, adding that the facilities will help girl children not to be absent from school because of their period, and also students going into the push to change and defecate.

Mrs. Ogunlana revealed that through their development partners and the government intervention they were able to accomplish the projects.

The principal of Junior Secondary School, Gwarinpa, Mrs. Zaniab Hassan, Commended the project organized, saying that she was so excited, remembering the first time the Sef Director came to the school.

She revealed that the students are overwhelmed, saying that this will help the girl child to stay in the school comfortably and learn.