The Oyo State Government is working towards achieving an Open Defecation Free (ODF) status by 2025 through collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
They have initiated a training program targeting stakeholders in the state to address open defecation and improve sanitation.
The state Commissioner for Information, Dotun Oyelade, on Saturday, emphasized the importance of this training under the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) program, facilitated by the Oyo State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA).
The training began with traditional rulers in Ibarapa East Local Government Area and will extend to other areas.
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The goal of this initiative is to achieve ODF status and enhance sanitation by 2025, reducing water and sanitation-related diseases, particularly in rural communities.
The chairman of RUWASSA, Adeduntan Adeniyi, highlighted that this effort would contribute to improving sanitation and curbing diseases in the state, especially in rural areas.
Traditional rulers, represented by Onilanlate of Lanate, Olatunji Samuel, expressed commitment to supporting these objectives to make Ibarapa East Open Defecation Free, enhancing the state’s reputation and environmental cleanliness.
UNICEF WASH specialist, Monday Johnson, emphasized the importance of behavior change in achieving ODF status and encouraged other local government areas to adopt similar initiatives focused on educating communities about cleanliness and sanitation practices.
UNICEF’s approach will prioritize education and behavioral change rather than direct construction of toilets, emphasizing the long-term impact of community engagement in maintaining clean and healthy environments.
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