The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) on Tuesday charged the students of University of Maiduguri to join hands against cholera disease, arresting the menace ahead of the rainy season in the country.
Addressing the students at the University Campus, Joseph Senesie, UNICEF Chief, Maiduguri Field Office, made the call while lauching the usage of U-Report to raise awareness of health emergency cases.
He described cholera as a deadly disease that can be avoided if proper care is taken, while charging the students to hep champion campaign that would stamps out the disease.
Joseph underscored the importance of collaboration with the teeming youths, urging the students to assist the Organization and the Government in raising alarm where neccesary through the U- Report platform that can be assessed using their mobile devices.
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“We are appealing to you to support and help us tackle the cholera menace in the society, because every local government and community is represented in the institution. We need your support to creates awareness with your network.
“Aside from maintaining personal hygiene which is crucial, we all have a role, which is assisting the government and the society. How can we do this? By simply raising alarm through U-Report, which allows you to reach out and communicate health trends around you and it will get to us”, he said.
He however called on the students to maintain personal hygiene while taking their academics, seriously
Aisha Hamza, Programme Coordinator, Borno State Environmental Protection Agency, also admonished the students to prioritise their health and assist Authorities in managing cases of cholera in the State
“I am sure that all the 36 states in Nigeria are represented in this hall. Therefore, we are believing that what you have learnt today will not just be useful to you while you are here. In your respective states, make use of it and teach others too.
“Ensure you key into personal hygiene initiatives. Avoid littering and dumping of refuse any where. Stay safe and stay healthy”, she said.
One of the students, Ibrahim Ali described the campaign as an eye- opener and a platform that had enriched the students’ community with knowledge on cholera
He said, “I have learnt alot today, and this knowledge will stay with me forever. While the program was going on. I have downloaded the U-Report app and I will be committed to using it where neccesary. This is an eye opener for me.”
