In a bid to further instill the habit of Cleanliness in its citizenry, Oyo state Government has launched a clean family campaign, through a collaborative effort with Water AID Nigeria.
The clean family campaign was launched on Wednesday at the office of Oyo state rural water and sanitation agency (RUWASSA), in the state secretariat, Agodi Ibadan.
Delivering a goodwill message at the formal launch of the campaign, the chairman of Oyo RUWASSA, Engr Omirinde Najeem explained that the campaign aimed at motivating communities and healthcare facilities towards practicing specific hygiene behavior, like hand washing, respiratory hygiene, use of clean toilets, proper waste management amongst others which would be achieved by changing the physical and social environment.
He said, “Good hygiene is the first line of defence against infectious diseases, like the coronavirus
disease. However, national statistics shows that 93% of residents in Oyo state do not have handwashing facilities with soap and water close to home, 83% have no access to basic sanitation services and 15% do not have access to clean water.
“Lack of access to water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) infrastructure makes the practice of good
hygiene difficult, with attendant negative consequences on health, livelihoods, gender equality and socio-economic outcomes” Engr. Omirinde stressed.
He noted that, the Clean Family Campaign being launched is targeted at changing the narrative in
people’s minds as well as motivating them to think and act differently through the use of emotional triggers.
The chairman also disclosed that about 100 semi mobile hand wash facilities would be distributed across various local government in the state, while 20 permanent hand wash facilities as well as 15 inclusive permanent hand wash facilities would be distributed across selected areas to include palaces of revered traditional rulers in the state.
Speaking through the director of water resources in his ministry, Mr Johnson Adeyemo, the Oyo state Commissioner for Environment and Water resources, Dr Abdullateef Oyeleke pointed out that the state government is favourably disposed to any agenda that will improve the quality of lives of its people.
He added that, “a clean family will make a clean nation, hence the efforts of Water Aid and other
collaborating stakeholders are in the right direction towards achieving a disease-free and hygienic society”.
In a remark, the representative of water AID Nigeria, Mr Adebayo Alao said apart from the partnership on the clean family campaign, water AID Nigeria would be supporting the state to develop the right policies for hygiene, water supply and equally build capacity for implementation Representative of NGOs such as LIWOM were equally in attendance as the handwashing facilities to be distributed to various public places were launched.
