The drive and commitment shown by the leadership of Ondo State in ensuring the success of the Open Defecation Free Campaign has received commendation from the Honourable Minister of Water Resources, Engr. Suleiman Adamu, FNSE, FAENG on Monday 21st February, 2022.
The Honorable Minister who was received by the Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Hon Orimisan Ayedatiwa made this known at the launch/flag off of the State-wide Sensitization and Advocacy Programme tagged *Clean Home, Happy Family,Use the Toilet*, at the Akure Sports Complex, Akure Ondo State.
Engr Adamu pointed out that Ondo State has demonstrated the drive to be among the progressive Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) focused States in the country, adding that the flag off of the ODF in Ondo State is another commendable indication of the domestication of the Clean Nigeria Campaign with linkage to family health in Ondo State.
According to Water Minister, the action to end Open Defecation in Ondo State and by extension,Nigeria will require the contributions and commitments of everyone.
He therefore urged government at all levels, the civil societies, the private sector, development partners, traditional and religious institutions, and the entire populace to establish and strengthen the institutional structures needed at the state, local government and community levels to drive the Open Defecation Free Campaign (ODF).
While calling for behavioral change to ensure sustainability of the ODF Campaign, the Honorable Minister also emphasized that political leadership and Public financing is critical in driving the process of achieving an Open Defecation Free Country and addressing the provision of WASH services in all government schools, health care facilities and Public places especially markets and motor parks.
Engr. Suleiman H. Adamu therefore enjoined the State government to create an enabling environment for private sector players to invest in the Sanitation value chain which us expected to make significant contributions to the economic indices of the state.
Speaking further Engr. Adamu expressed optimism that many local government areas in the State will key into the Open Defecation Free Campaign and Ondo State will be declared Open Defecation Free before 2025.
In his keynote address, the Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, who was represented by the Deputy Governor of Ondo State Hon. Orimisan Ayedatiwa, informed that the flag off of the Open Defecation Free Campaign in Ondo State will ensure improvement in the health and general well-being of Ondo people.
The Deputy Governor urged Ondo people to have a change of behavior and jettison the old traditional beliefs and notions about open defecation practices which are threats to public health.
High point of the flag-off ceremony was the presentation of Sanitation flag to the Honourable Minister of Water Resources by the Ondo State environmental workers.
Present at the flag off ceremony were representatives of UNICEF, African Development Bank, Directors of Federal Ministry of Water Resources, members of Ondo State House of Assembly, traditional and religious leaders, market women, health and environmental workers, students and artisans.
Funmi Imuetinyan
DD Press and Public Relations Unit.
FMWR,
