The Oyo State Government, Southwest Nigeria, in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Funds has commenced training for stakeholders in the state as part of efforts to make Oyo State open defecation by 2025. This was made known by the Commissioner for Information, Dotun Oyelade, in a statement on Saturday. He said the training was initiated under the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene programme of UNICEF through the Oyo State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency. According to Ojelade, the training that commenced with traditional rulers in the Ibarapa East Local Government Area of the state would be extended to other local government areas.
While quoting the RUWASSA chairman, Adeduntan Adeniyi, he noted that the workshop would also help the state to achieve the Open Defecation Free status by 2025 and further curb water and sanitation diseases in the state.
Ojelade added, “The workshop was aimed at the state to achieve Open Defecation Free (ODF) status and improved sanitation by 2025, under the WASH project supported by UNICEF. “It would also assist in reducing water and sanitation-related diseases, particularly in rural areas of the state.” Reacting on behalf of the traditional rulers, the Onilanlate of Lanate, Olatunji Samuel, gave assurance that their people would support the state to achieve the goals. “This will enhance the glory of the state and our land, and it will make Ibarapa East Open defecation free,” he added.
The UNICEF WASH specialist, Monday Johnson, on his part, said that the sensitisation programme would help the pioneering local government to achieve the Open Defecation Free status in the next six months.
He also encouraged other local government council areas to emulate the policy by focusing on behavioural change towards the implementation of ODF. Johnson, however, said UNICEF would not construct toilets for residents of the state but focus on educating the people on the importance of maintaining cleanliness and good hygiene always.
