…trains 42 facilitators on water sanitation, hygiene
The Oyo State Government has attributed the zero case of cholera outbreak in the State to its adequate preparedness in tackling unforeseen epidemic circumstances, and its recent environmental reformations and policies.
Bayo Lawal, Oyo State deputy governor, explained how the State was able to improve on its environmental sanitation drive, thereby resulting in a cleaner environment throughout the State.
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He stated this during the commemoration of the year 2024 National Environmental Sanitation Day with the theme: “Environmental Sanitation in the Era of Climate Change”.
The National Environmental Sanitation Day is held every June 28th annually to drive awareness on the need to imbibe personal and environmental hygiene among Nigerians. However, Oyo State commemorated the day on Tuesday.
Lawal said that the fear that Cholera is contagious and that it has spread to neighboring states, led to the success recorded in putting all medical personnel on red alert and making sure all suspected cases are speedily attended to.
He said the State Government had over the years embarked on several positive and monumental environmental policies, which had improved on safer environment against the impact of climate change across the nooks and crannies of the State.
He reiterated that the administration policies on zero tolerance against filth and indiscriminate refuse dumping, clearing and expansion of river channels across all the geopolitical zones are great factors.
Meanwhile, the Oyo State Government has trained facilitators on Water Sanitation and Hygiene Committees tagged, WASHCOMs, in readiness for community-led total sanitation implementation to drive all communities in Ibarapa-East Local Government Area to open defecation-free status.
The 5-day workshop organized in partnership with the United Nations Children Education Funds (UNICEF) was declared open by
Babalola Afobaje, the Chairman of the State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency, (OYORUWASSA).
Speaking at the Training of Trainers (ToT) programme held at Oyo Town, Oyo State, Afobaje, called for collaboration among all communities at ensuring an overall improvement in the general health and sanitation of Ibarapa-East and the state as a whole.
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Afobaje appreciated the efforts of the Oyo State Government and the technical and funding supports of UNICEF at ending open defecation and ensuring healthier citizens for socio-economic development of the State.
The Chairman specifically applauded the efforts of the present administration in the State for its efforts in curbing outbreak of any form of epidemics.
Monday Johnson, the UNICEF WASH Specialist, said that the participants would form and train WASHCOMs members who would ensure that their respective communities in Ibarapa-East LGA become open defecation-free and sustain it.
