The Honourable Minister of Water Resources, Engr. Suleiman H. Adamu FNSE, FAEng represented by the Director, Department of Water Quality and Sanitation on Thursday, 24th February, 2022 in Abuja officially kicked – off the Catch Them Young on Open Defecation Free (ODF) Campaign.
In his keynote address, the Minister said that the official take – off of the catch them young on ODF competition and public presentation of the books will create further sensitization on the Clean Nigeria Campaign particularly among school children, thereby increasing the population of persons reached on the campaign.
Engr. Adamu stated that Federal Ministry of Water Resources is striving towards improving the national indices on water, sanitation and hygiene through stakeholders’ engagement and committing available resources to address gaps in the sector.
Some of the intervention efforts of the Federal Government through the Ministry include the National Action Plan for the revitalization of the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH)sector which was launched by the President on 8th November, 2018 with the declaration of a State of Emergency in the sector and a strong statement to end open defecation in the country.
The Minister expressed his believe that the joint efforts of Government and stakeholders at all levels and children in raising awareness on the dangers of open defecation and handwashing at critical times would lead to the needed behavioral change thereby producing a healthy society and an economically buoyant nation.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Publisher of Zubbond Books: “Tania Queen of Open Defecation Free” and “Muna the Handwashing Ambassador”, Mr. Onyemaechi Azubuike stated that the books will assist the students to understand the problems associated with the practice of Open Defecation as well as proffered the solution.
In her goodwill message, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation represented by the Deputy Director, Department of Occupational Health, Safety and Environment Dr. Deborah Odoh expressed her gladness that “Clean Nigeria: Use the toilet” Campaign has garnered a lot of stakeholders especially the students and their teachers.
Highpoint of the event was the unveiling and public presentation of the books by the representative of the Honourable Minister, Mr. Emmanuel Awe and other dignitaries.
The programme was attended by participants drawn from: FCT Department of Mass Education, FCT Education Resource Center, FCT Secondary Education Board (SUBEB) Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.
Funmi Imuetinyan (Mrs.)
Deputy Director (Press and Public Relations Unit)
