By
Aisha Mohammed
United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF, says the Federal Government’s drive to make Nigeria Open Defecation Free will significantly improve school attendance, nutrition, and the health of women and children across the country.
The UNICEF WASH Officer, Bauchi Field Office, Nanbam Dawap, stated this in an interview with Radio Nigeria, Fombina News during the celebration of Adamawa State’s outstanding multi-sectoral collaboration and Local Government Area-wide Open Defecation Free achievements for Guyuk and Jada Local Government Areas, held in Yola.
UNICEF WASH Officer, Bauchi Field Office, Nanbam Dawap pledged the organization’s continued support towards achieving a statewide Open Defecation Free status in Adamawa, noting that attaining Open Defecation Free status is not a destination but a foundation for sustaining gains already achieved.
She urged the Adamawa State Government to strengthen its commitment and support to ensure all Local Government Areas attain the status.
The UNICEF WASH Officer, Bauchi Field Office, explained that eliminating open defecation would help prevent the spread of diarrhoeal diseases and cholera, promote healthier environments, and improve the dignity, safety and well-being of residents, especially children.
On his part, the Commissioner for Water Resources, Ayuba Tanko, attributed the Open Defecation Free achievements recorded by Guyuk and Jada Local Government Areas to the State’s efforts in strengthening and aligning with existing Sanitation frameworks through its Faecal Sludge Management System.
According to him, these frameworks include the bye-law on the eradication of open defecation, the Harmonised Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Policy, the Adamawa State Open Defecation Free Roadmap and the State Water Law.
In a remark on behalf of the two Local Government Areas, the Emir of Guyuk, Kwandi Nunguraya, Dishon Dansanda, described the national awards and Open Defecation Free certification as a call to action and urged other traditional rulers to support the campaign for an Open Defecation Free Adamawa State.
Highpoint of the celebration was the presentation of national awards, Open Defecation Free certificates and commemorative plaques to the Emirs of Guyuk and Jada as Ambassadors of Open Defecation Free Communities.
