By Gabriel Ewepu, ABUJA

The Federal Government, Thursday, moved the 2025 deadline to end open defecation to 2030, as 48 million Nigerians still practise it.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, Richard Phewlangwah, stated this in an opening remark while declaring open a two-day ‘Sensitization Workshop organized for Community Development Service, CDS, Focal Officers of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, from across the 36 States and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, on the Clean Nigeria Campaign’.

According Pheewlangwah, who was represented by the Director, Reform and Coordination, Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, Moses Joe-Madugu, explained that the ministry has also put in place several other initiatives to accelerate progress on WASH such as the Partnership for Expanded Water Sanitation and Hygiene (PEWASH), Sustainable Urban and Rural Water Sanitation and Hygiene (SURWASH).

Workshop target

Meanwhile, the workshop was to make the participants from the 36 states and the FCT understand their roles and responsibilities; Supporting the campaign; Development of skills; Engaging with communities;
Partnerships with stakeholders; and teach officers to secure resources.

Pheewlangwah said: “As we all know, Nigeria is facing a daunting challenge with open defecation, with over 48 million people practicing it, resulting in severe health, environmental, and economic consequences.

“The Clean Nigeria Campaign therefore, was flagged off in 2019 to focus on ending Open Defecation and to improve access to Sanitation and Hygiene.

“However, since the flag-off of the Campaign there has been some remarkable but slow progress in achieving the targets of the Campaign.

“With 136 LGAs and an entire State (Jigawa) that has been declared Open Defecation Free, we need to re-double our efforts towards achieving our target of ending Open Defecation by 2030.

“The Federal Government through the Ministry has also put in place several other initiatives to accelerate progress on WASH such as the Partnership for Expanded Water Sanitation and Hygiene (PEWASH), Sustainable Urban and Rural Water Sanitation and Hygiene (SURWASH).

“The signing of MoUs between the Ministry and Ministries of Health, Education and Youth Development for the SchoolWASH, HealthWASH and YouthWASH programmes respectively. This action therefore, marks the takeoff of the YouthWASH Programme in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, NYSC, partners and CSOs.

“The Clean Nigeria Campaign is a clarion call to action, and we are excited to collaborate with the NYSC to mobilize Corps members nationwide. Through your CDS activities, we aim to trigger a sanitation revolution to end open defecation in Nigeria.

“With our recently reviewed Strategic Plan which was launched by the Vice President on 19th November, 2024, it is believed that activities will be rolled out in line with the YouthWASH Strategy to accelerate progress while we count on your active participation and engagement.

“I urge you all to seize this opportunity to share your experiences, expertise, and innovative ideas. Together, we can create a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable Nigeria for future generations.”

The National Coordinator, Clean Nigeria Use the Toilet Campaign, Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, Chizoma Opara, on the sidelines of the workshop, explained the essence of the Ministry’s collaboration with NYSC.

“We looked at the spread of the NYSC. That was the essence of the Honourable Ministers signing the MoU in 2023.

“Looking at the spread and looking at a CDS for sanitation and clean Nigeria and engaging the young people, and this is something that happens yearly.

“So just imagine how this will be engaging youth core members across the 774 local governments,” Opara.

YouthWASH

Meanwhile, in a goodwill message, Uchenna Obiakor on behalf of YouthWASH Initiative Africa, said: “Enhance Behavior Change: Drive awareness campaigns and initiatives aimed at fostering positive hygiene practices and environmental responsibility. Together, let us build a cleaner and healthier Nigeria for generations to come.”

Earlier, in address of welcome by the Director, Water Quality Control and Sanitation, Elizabeth Ugoh, said the workshop is to equip the participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively contribute to the goals of the Keep Nigerian Clean Campaign key strategies, best practices, and engage in collaborative activities designed to inspire and empower them.

Meanwhile, the Head, Special Programming Unit, NYSC, Oyo State, CDS Branch, Ibrahim Ishaq said, “We have to sensitize my corps members because they are the ones who pass the message to the grassroots.

“I will sensitize them and if possible, form a CDS group who are going to pilot this Programme at the rural area or the communities.”

Also, one of the participants from Bayelsa State, Ifekudu Kosy said with adequate financial mobilization from the Ministry it would be a lot easier to mobilize corps members to engage with communities starting from the schools and that would go a long way to reduce open defecation and Bayelsa State also listed among Open Defecation Free States by 2030.