-Pix: Engr. Suleiman H. Adamu, Hon Minister, Water Resources
The Honourable Minister of Water Resources, Engr. Suleiman H. Adamu, has enjoined Nigerian Youths to lend their weight towards the support of the ‘Clean Nigeria: Use the Toilet Campaign’ to ensure the success of the programme.
Engr. Adamu gave the charge, Thursday, 26th August, in Abuja, on the occasion of one-day National Youth Dialogue on Clean Nigeria Campaign:Use the Toilet in commemoration of United Nations International Youth Day 2021, with the theme “The role of young people in making Nigeria Open Defecation Free by 2025.”
In his keynote address, the Minister said that the event presents an avenue for young people to ventilate their viewpoints, wishes and aspirations through this platform for learning, dialogue and interaction on the consequences of Open Defecation in Nigeria. Engr Adamu also noted that the Youth are to use the platform to x-ray the role they can play in reversing the ugly trend of defecating in the open whilst leveraging on the emerging Youth Led Total Sanitation (YLTS) strategy which puts the Youths on the frontline of the initiative. Speaking further, the Minister said that the theme of the dialogue is deliberate and represents a call to action by stakeholders in harnessing the young people towards achieving our targets of ending Open Defecation in Nigeria.
The Minister reiterated the fact that Open Defecation pollutes the environment, poses great risk to the entire population and dignity of the human person, and therefore tasked the Youth that as agents of social change, they are key resources, not only in the Clean Nigeria Campaign Initiative, but also in other critical aspects of national engagements. Similarly, he noted that the adoption of good sanitation and hygiene practices is imperative so as to maximise the benefits of having access to safe water facilities. The Minister, therefore, reiterated that all hands must be on deck for Nigeria to be able to end open defecation by 2025.
The Minister went down memory lane to remind his audience that ‘Clean Nigeria: Use the Toilet Campaign’ was launched two years ago with a target to end Open Defecation in the country by 2025. Since then, the Ministry has mobilized high level political support, resources and the entire populace towards building a new culture of safe sanitation. He appreciated President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo for their keen interest and support for the WASH Sector.
The United Nations International Youth Day (IYD) which is celebrated on 12th August of every year gives an opportunity to celebrate and mainstream young peoples’ voices, actions and initiatives as well as their meaningful, universal and equitable engagements at all levels of developmental endeavours.
In his goodwill message, UNICEF WASH Manager, Oumar Doumbouya, said that UNICEF is seeking to strengthen its capacity to engage the Youths and benefit from their views, insights and ideas.
Earlier in his welcome remarks, Director of Water Quality Control and Sanitation, Mr. Emmanuel Awe, restated that Federal Ministry of Water Resources is committed to raising the profile of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene in the country and ensuring sustainable access to basic WASH Services for all Nigerians by 2030 in line with the Sustainable Development Goals.
Also at the event, Director, Press and Public Relations Unit, Mrs. Kenechukwu Offie, and Ag. Director, Department of Irrigation and Drainage made presentations which were hinged on urging the Youth to own the campaign.
The high point of the event was the unveiling of the Youth Led Total Sanitation (YLTS) Logo by the Honourable Minister.
- Tags: Engr. Suleiman Adamu, FMWR, Clean up Nigeria:Use the Toilet Campaign