The minister of water resources, Engr. Suleiman Adamu, has called for more private sector and diasporic engagement to support the Federal Government to end Open Defecation in the Nigeria through accelerated provision of toilets by philanthropists.
Engr. Adamu made this call at the official commissioning of an ultramodern biodegradable toilet facility donated by David Alaba, a renowned footballer with Real Madrid, and his foundation.
The footballer’s donation was made in collaboration with the Organized Private Sector in Water Sanitation and Hygiene(OPS- WASH), Clean Nigeria Campaign (CNC) and Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) at Ogere Remo Community in Ogun State on September 15, 2022.
Speaking at the commissioning, the minister reaffirmed that Clean Nigeria Campaign aims at mobilizing high level political support, resources and the entire populace towards building a new culture of safe sanitation by aggressively mobilizing the entire country towards ending the practice of Open Defecation in Nigeria by 2025.
He identified the role of the private sector in the revitalization of the WASH Sector and congratulated NiDCOM and OPS-WASH for taking a lead in this gesture.
Adamu added that such a laudable and commendable project by Mr.David Alaba and his foundation is worthy of emulation as the quest to end open defecation requires the contribution and commitment of individuals and government at all levels, civil society organizations, the private sector, development partners, philanthropists and the entire populace.
The minister encouraged Nigerians in the Diaspora to mobilize support for the campaign through private sector engagement, adding that under the Clean Nigeria Campaign, 84 LGAs have so far attained Open Defecation Free (ODF) status in the country, and that Jigawa State is on the verge of achieving state-wide ODF status with just one more LGA to go.
While revealing that Nigeria has been given the hosting rights for the 2022 World Toilet Summit as announced by the Founder of “World Toilet Organization (WTO), Jack Sim, he also urged all states to participate actively in the event.
Engr Adamu further assured all stakeholders of his ministry’s commitment towards improved co-ordination, partnership and implementation of WASH programmes, which are expected to address water, hygiene and sanitation inadequacies in our cities and communities.
The Governor of Ogun State, Mr Dapo Abiodun, who was represented by the Ogun State Commissioner for Special Duties, Hon. Olufemi Ilori-Oduntan, commended David Alaba as a true Nigerian, and added that the gesture is a new dimension in community development and individual efforts to a better society.
Abiodun also appealed to the people of Ogun State to always incorporate toilets into thier building plans, and pledged the state government’s resolve to maintain toilets in public places, such as parks and markets.
The Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Hon (Dr) Abike Dabiri-Erewa, who was represented by Mr. Oladipo Odebowale, lauded David Alaba for the initiative, which is in tandem with NiDCOM’s mandate of harnessing and channeling the potentials of Nigerians in Diaspora for national growth and development.
The NiDCOM boss urged other “Diasporans” and Nigerians to emulate “this worthy gesture as a support to national development efforts.”
In his remarks, the Coordinator of OPS- WASH, Dr Nicholas Igwe, emphasized the significance of collaboration and partnership, adding that the private sector will continue to work with NiDCOM and the federal ministry of water resources to mobilize more Nigerians in Diaspora in order to achieve the 2025 ODF target for the country.
Speaking on the perspective of Clean Nigeria Campaign, the Coordinator, Mrs Chizoba Opara, noted that ending open defecation in Nigeria is achievable with the right political will, collective support of all Nigerians, significant collaboration with the private sector, and the support of Nigerians in Diaspora.
High points of the occasion were the unveiling of the toilet facility and the distribution of autographed Real Madrid Jerseys to three successful winners by the David Alaba Foundation.
