As part of efforts to end open defecation, the Ministry of Sports and Youth Development says it will ensure Nigerians practice the ‘Clean Nigeria: Use the toilet’ policy.
Sports Minister Sunday Dare had this to say in Abuja when Water Minister Suleiman Adamu paid him a courtesy call.
“My ministry will continue to engage with relevant ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) as well as other stakeholders in line with the commitment of the ‘Clean Nigeria: Use the Toilet’ campaign,” Dare said in a statement. “The campaign was launched by the administration led by President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019.”
According to the sports minister, Nigeria ranks second among the nations in the world, with the highest number of people, estimated at more than 48 million, who defecate in the open.
“The practice has had a negative effect on the population and has therefore contributed to the country’s inability to meet the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),” he said.
The sports minister added that the dismal ranking led Mr Buhari to describe the statistics on open defecation and access to piped water and sanitation services as worrisome.
He said the situation prompted the president to declare his commitment to implement the National Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Action Plan in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Charter.
Mr. Dare stated that his ministry, in 2021, carried out a nationwide awareness program called “Clean Nigeria: Use the Toilet” which was carried out through lectures and training.
(YAYA)
