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Expenditure on Sanitation and Hygiene Frees Funds for Other Sectors- Ikeazor

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Expenditure on Sanitation and Hygiene Frees Funds for Other Sectors- Ikeazor

Expenditure on Sanitation and Hygiene Frees Funds for Other Sectors- Ikeazor

Minister of State for Environment, Chief Sharon Ikeazor has said expenditure on sanitation and hygiene should never be considered a waste as it frees several funds for other sectors.

Speaking at the commemoration of this year’s Global Hand Washing Day at the Federal Government Boys’ College, Apo, Abuja, the Minister said: “Addressing sanitation and hygiene challenges in the country is a necessary and worthwhile investment for government at all levels and is a way to significantly improve the health, education, social and economic status of the country. 

“This is because, for every One Hundred naira (N100) spent improving sanitation and hygiene, between Three Hundred (N300) and Four Hundred Naira (N400) is saved which can be invested in health, education, social and economic development.”

She said: “Therefore, I want to use this opportunity to call on Nigerians especially those in places of authority (public or private) to ensure adequate provision for Sanitation and Hygiene including handwashing facilities at all times.”

Ikeazor said: “This year’s theme “Our Future is at hand-let’s Move Forward Together” could not be more apt and timely, considering the critical role hand hygiene plays in preventing and controlling the spread of the COVID-19 virus. The theme is also a clarion call for the global community to work together and leverage lessons learned from response to COVID-19 to address the perennial neglect of hand hygiene as a major means of preventing disease transmission.”

Also Read: Yobe Community Celebrates Buhari over Construction of Air…

The Minister said: “It is well-known that a large number of children die every year due to sanitation and hygiene enabled diseases.”

She lamented that globally, basic hand hygiene was often neglected, due to lack of access to handwashing facilities in key places, decrying that “40% of world’s population or 3 billion people do not have handwashing facilities with water and soap at home. More than 3.5 million children suffer from diarrheal diseases and this is not a small figure. Children, who are less than 5years old, are more prone to such diseases because of lack of knowledge about the importance of handwashing. The simple act of washing hands with soap can reduce infections by 50% and respiratory diseases by 25%. Hand washing saves lives.”

She said the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic and its devastating effect globally has further underscored the fact that access to Sanitation and Hygiene is not only a fundamental human right that safeguards public health and human dignity, but also an essential need when it comes to disease prevention. 

She added that the pandemic provides an important reminder that hand hygiene is a fundamental component of health and safety, noting that this year’s Global Handwashing Day therefore calls on countries to start planning for the future as they continue to strengthen their COVID-19 response and accelerate their pace for full recovery, a move that will reduce vulnerability to new outbreaks and help countries control diarrheal and respiratory diseases.

Ikeazor disclosed that the choice of a school to commemorate this year’s global hand washing day is quite deliberate as children including those at school are at particular risk of infections associated with poor water, sanitation and hygiene. 

She said: “Therefore, in marking this year’s event, we are carrying out proper hygiene education and handwashing promotion for schools in order to entrench the culture of proper handwashing in children and help prevent disease transmission, particularly diarrhea and pneumonia, two of the leading causes of death in children globally.”

Expenditure on Sanitation and Hygiene Frees Funds for Other Sectors- Ikeazor

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FG Declares Public Holiday on June 12 to Mark Democracy Day

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FG Declares Public Holiday on June 12 to Mark Democracy Day

By: Michael Mike

The Federal Government has declared Thursday, 12th June, 2025 as Public Holiday to commemorate this year’s democracy day celebration.

The Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government in a statement signed by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior, Dr. Magdalene Ajani, congratulated Nigerians on this occasion of 26 years of an uninterrupted civil rule.

He said: “June 12 represents our historic journey to building a nation where truth and justice reign and peace is sustained and our future assured.

“The last 26 years tells the story of our resilience, strength and courage and a hope Renewed than ever.”

The Minister while noting that Democracy is sustained with open doors for further improvement, reiterated the commitment of the Renewed Hope government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR) to the universal value of democracy that is based on freely-expressed will of the people in determining Nigeria’s political, economic, social and cultural systems.

FG Declares Public Holiday on June 12 to Mark Democracy Day

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Chieftaincy dispute causes chaos in Muye village in Niger

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Chieftaincy dispute causes chaos in Muye village in Niger

By: Zagazola Makama

A renewed chieftaincy tussle in Muye village, Lapai Local Government Area of Niger State, has sparked violent confrontations between rival supporters, prompting swift intervention by security operatives.

Zagazola Makama gathered that the crisis began around 6:20 p.m. on Thursday when the deposed village head, Alhaji Mohammed Abdulkadir Maigari II, forcefully returned to Muye and broke into the palace.

The incident provoked tension among residents, especially after supporters of the current Dakachi confronted the deposed monarch. The situation was immediately brought under control by a team of security personnel from Lapai.

However, Zagazola learnt that the situation escalated on Friday morning when supporters of both camps clashed again, leading to a free-for-all fight that disrupted public peace in the community.

Security sources were swiftly deployed to Muye to restore normalcy.

“The combined security teams have brought the situation under control. Monitoring and surveillance operations are ongoing to prevent further breakdown of law and order,” the source said.

No casualties or arrests have been officially confirmed as of the time of filing this report.

Chieftaincy dispute causes chaos in Muye village in Niger

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Eid-el-Kabir: IPCR Calls on Nigerians to Peace, Harmony

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Eid-el-Kabir: IPCR Calls on Nigerians to Peace, Harmony

By: Michael Mike

Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) has called on Nigerians to promote peace and harmony in their communities, recognizing that peace is essential to national development and progress.

The advice was given by the Director General of the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR), Dr. Joseph Ochogwu, in his message on Eid-el-Kabir.

The Institute, while extending warm greetings to Nigerians, wished them a joyous and peaceful celebration, marked by love, compassion, and unity.

The Institute while noting that Sallah is a significant occasion in the Islamic calendar, symbolizing the values of sacrifice, gratitude, and community, emphasized that the spirit of Sallah should guide Nigerians in their interactions with one another, fostering a culture of peace, tolerance, and understanding.

The IPCR urged Nigerians to promote peace and harmony in their communities, recognizing that peace is essential to national development and progress, while
encouraging individuals to embrace the values of Sallah, including forgiveness, empathy, and kindness, in their daily lives.

According to IPCR, peace is critical to promoting national stability and cohesion.

The Institute also urged Nigerians to use this period of Sallah celebration to address conflicts and promote dialogue, which could help to build trust and understanding among Nigerians and also contribute to a more peaceful society.

It recognized that the country’s many ethnic and religious groups can work together to build a more harmonious society, celebrating their differences and promoting a culture of tolerance.
End

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