Minister of Water Resources, Engr Suleiman Hussaini Adamu has commended Governor Rotimi Akeredolu for the successful flag-off of the Open Defecation Free campaign in Ondo State.
The Honorable Minister made this known at the launch/flag off of the State-wide Sensitization and Advocacy Programme tagged “Clean Home, Happy Family, Use the Toilet”, at the Akure Sports Complex, on Monday.
Engr. Adamu, who was received by the Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Hon. Orimisan Ayedatiwa, said Ondo State has demonstrated the drive to be among the progressive Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) focused States in the country.
He said the flag-off of the ODF campaign in Ondo State is another commendable indication of the domestication of the Clean Nigeria Campaign with linkage to family health in the State.
He noted that the action to end Open Defecation in Ondo State and, by extension, Nigeria will require the contributions and commitments of everyone.
The Minister solicited the support of government at all levels, the civil societies, the private sector, development partners, traditional and religious institutions, and the entire populace to ensure success of the campaign nationwide.
He urged all stakeholders to establish and strengthen the institutonal structures needed at the state, local government and community levels to drive the Open Defecation Free advocacy.
While calling for behavioral change to ensure sustainability of the campaign, the Honorable Minister emphasized that political leadership and public financing are critical for driving the process of achieving an ODF Nigeria.
He advocated for more support towards addressing the provision of WASH services in all government schools, health care facilites and public places especially markets and motor parks where open defecation practices are endemic.
Engr. Adamu enjoined the State government to create an enabling environment for private sector players to invest in the sanitation value chain which is expected to make significant contributions to the economic indices of the state.
He expressed optimism that many local government areas in the State will key into the Open Defecation Free Campaign and Ondo State will be declared Open Defecation Free before 2025.
In his address at the occasion, the Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Hon. Orimisan Ayedatiwa, informed that the flag-off of the Open Defecation Free Campaign in Ondo State will ensure improvement in the health and general well-being of Ondo people.
The Deputy Governor urged Ondo people to have a change of behavior and jettison the old traditional beliefs and notions about open defecation practices which are threats to public health.
High point of the flag-off ceremony was the presentation of Sanitation flag to the Honourable Minister of Water Resources by the Ondo State environmental workers.
Present at th ceremony were representatives of UNICEF, African Development Bank, Directors of Federal Ministry of Water Resources, members of Ondo State House of Assembly, traditional and religious leaders, market women, health and environmental workers, students and artisans.