The Kano state government KNSG has called on Nigerians to desist from open defecation saying it has a huge impact on human health and the environment.
The state Commissioner for Environment and Climate Change, Alhaji Nasiru Sule Garo, made the call during a road walk as part of activities to mark the 2024 International Toilet Day in Kano, which will be hosted by the Kano state government on 19th November.
Celebrated on 19th November every year, the world toilet day is about inspiring action to tackle the global sanitation crisis and reach the 3.5 billion people still living without safely managed sanitation.
According to him, the objective of World Toilet Day is to raise awareness about the importance of proper sanitation and hygiene, noting that the United Nations has set aside the day to promote the use of toilets and prevent open defecation.
Nasiru explained that, the government of Abba Yusuf has renovated and is building more public toilets to provide access to proper sanitation facilities, and is encouraging people to use them instead of practicing open defecation in the state.
He stressed that, the use of toilets will go a long way in preventing the spread of diseases, reduces contamination of water sources, promotes proper sanitation and hygiene as well as improves overall health and well-being of all.
In her remarks, UNICEF WASH officer, Kano field office, Ms Stella Ifeoma-Terver, highlighted that, the 2021 WASH Norm stated that, Kano State has a 2% open defecation rate which translates to a significant number considering the state’s population.
She maintained that, UNICEF has supported Kano State in its efforts to achieve open defecation-free status, pointing out that, in the current year, eight local governments have achieved open defecation-free status.
She however called on the public to support the state government to ensure that every household and public place has a toilet especially almajiri areas in order to achieve its goal of open defecation-free status by 2025.
Also speaking, Deputy Director, Environmental health and Sanitation, Federal ministry of environment, Rita Azuka, pointed out that, the objective for this year’s celebration is to ensure that Nigerians understand the importance of an Open Defecation Free (ODF) Nigeria.
While reiterating the federal government commitment to ending open defecation, she hinted that, the theme of this year’s World Toilet Day is “Toilets for Peace”.
“This theme highlights the connection between sanitation and peace. When a country is plagued by diseases such as cholera, there can be no peace,”
