By Chesa Chesa
Vice-President Kashim Shettima has stated the commitment of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to end open defecation by 2025, as the federal government commences measures to combat cholera by tackling the root causes.
Inaugurating the Steering Committee for the “Clean Nigeria: Use the Toilet” Campaign, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Thursday, Shettima said that ending open defecation could be achieved by mobilising strategic stakeholders and leveraging technology as well as deploying innovative and sustainable solutions to boost the nation’s sanitation landscape.
Underscoring the significance of hygiene, health, and its impact on development and wealth, the Vice-President urged the committee to “align with broader government priorities and interventions in areas such as poverty reduction, education, and economic growth.”
He said the recently reported cases of cholera in the country should serve as sufficient motivation for the committee to work harder, just as he directed members of the committee to “craft solutions to handle wastewater management, contaminated water sources, and open defecation” across the country.
Shettima also expressed confidence that members of the team “will commit to research-driven approaches in our bids to deliver on our promise to make the nation clean.
“We are well aware that achieving this objective begins with our collective resolve to embrace behavioral change and cultivate a lifestyle that prioritizes proper sanitation practices, hygiene education, and community engagement,” he added.
He stressed that the goals and aspirations of the country could be best achieved by harnessing the resources available in the public and private sectors, especially by carrying out innovative research.
“The public sector cannot succeed in this campaign unless we engage and encourage private sector participation and invite innovative and sustainable solutions.
“We must partner by utilizing technology for real-time monitoring, data collection, and impact assessment while recognizing the role of youth and women in driving change,” the VP emphasised.
