The Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Environment, Mahmud Adam Kambari has enjoined Nigerians to prioritise Environmental Hygiene practices as this would go a long way to mitigate the spread of Cholera in the country, emphasizing that our environment and our behaviour determines our health.
He disclosed this at first Day of the activities lined up for the Commemoration of 2024 National Environmental Sanitation Day held in Piwoyi, a suburb community in the FCT with the Theme: “Environmental Sanitation in the Era of Climate Change: Go Greener, Stay Clean, Climate Change is real
The Permanent Secretary who was represented by the Director, Pollution Control and Environmental Health, Mr. Olubunmi Olusanya stated that the purpose of the event was to create awareness among teeming nigerians on the importance of sanitation practices as a veritable means of mitigating and preventing communicable diseases.
According to Kambari, “Currently in the country, we are faced with the challenge of a cholera outbreak as you all know is caused by bacteria infection, which is spread through contaminated water or food as a result of unhygienic practices”.
Speaking further, Kambari stressed the need to imbibe good environmental sanitation practices, citing open defecation as one of the primary causes of cholera in the country.
He restated the Ministry’s and related organisations’ commitments to continued partner with the community to ensure that the community is adequately clean at all times in the continuous drive to have a safe environment.
Speaking further, Kambari said the Ministry of Environment and other stakeholders would continue to partner with the community to ensure that the community is adequately clean at all times.
Kambari reiterated that Piwoyi is used as a community to kick start the activities for the Commemoration of 2024 National Environmental Sanitation Day (NESD), with a school debate slated for Tuesday 25th and the main event on the 28th June 2024 which is celebrated annually.
As you are aware in the year 2005, the Federal Government declared 28th June of every year as a National Sanitation Day, while we were planning for this year commemoration, which will be holding on the 28th of this month, Piwoyi Community was chosen as the starting point of the activities and we are here today to do exactly what the purpose of National Environmental Sanitation Day entails, that is to sensitise communities on appropriate way of sanitation and hygiene practices using Piwoyi as a model.
Kambari also noted that Nigerians needed to be more careful and take appropriate means of protecting themselves by ensuring that they practice good sanitation practices.
In his goodwill message, the Representataitve of Breakthrough Action Nigeria, Mr Jonathan Duku emphasised the need for the people of Piwoyi community to always keep their environment clean.
He said the organisation would continue to support the Ministry to help communities avert and mitigate cholera and other infectious diseases.
“Mitigating environmental challenges will not eradicate just cholera, but also Lassa fever, if our environments are being kept clean because as we all know dirty environment attract rats that causes Lassa fever and with this team, we are encouraging every community member in Piwoyi to keep thier environment clean.” Duku added
While speaking, the representative of the World Health Organisation (WHO), Mr Edwin Isotu Ede, stated that the National Environmental Sanitation Day is a special to raise awareness among communities on the need for good Environmental sanitation and cleaning.
He, therefore, encouraged people in the community to see the visit to the community as an opportunity to promote sanitation and hygiene practices in their locality.
He said, “We want to encourage landlords here when you build houses, don’t just occupy all the places leave some space to plant trees. Make sure you have toilets so that people can use also encourage one another in the community to wash their regularly. “
While speaking, the Director of Environment, Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Mrs Hannatu Ibrahim said the Council would continue to work with the the Piwoyi community to have a better environment and prevent the issues of cholera.
In his remarks,the Traditional Ruler “Etsu of Piwoyi Community”, Mr Tanko Lazurus Bahago, commended the Ministry of Environment and its partners for the sensitisation and awareness campaign in his community.
“We are happy and appreciate what the Ministry has done for us today, we will continue with the exercise to make our environment clean at all times.”
He also promised to work with his team to ensure the residents of the community imbibe good environmental sanitation practices.
Similarly, in continuation of the activities ernmark for the year 2024 National Environmental Sanitation Day, a quiz competition to test students knowledge on environmental issues was organised. The quiz competition is to inspire the students and to make a positive impact for generations to come.
The schools participates in the quiz completion are Federal Government College Wuye, Model Junior Secondary School, Maitama, Junior Secondary School Area 10, Junior Secondary School Area 11, P-E-M International Academy Lugbe, and First Kingdom Kids Academy, Mararaba.
The winner of the quiz competition is JSS Area 10, the 1st runner-up school is FGBC, Wuye, while the 3rd runner-up school is MJSS, Maitama.
The winners will be given prizes on Friday, June 28th, at “National Environmental Sanitation Day 2024” main event to commemorate the day in Abuja Nigeria’s capital.
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