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About 25 Percent Nigerians Openly Defecate, Laments FG
About 25 Percent Nigerians Openly Defecate, Laments FG
By: Michael Mike
The Federal Government has decried that about 25 percent of people living in the country still defecate openly, insisting that this has led to high rate of diarrhea that is the second highest killer of children in Nigeria.
Nigeria is populated by over 200 million people, and according to the Minister of Environment, Mallam Balarabe Abbas has about 48 million people still practicing open defecation.
Speaking at a joint press briefing of the Ministries of Environment, and Water Resources and Sanitation to highlight the activities scheduled for the World Toilet Day, Abbas said this year’s theme: ‘Accelerating Change’ “is quite apt as it inspires every individual to take personal action to help improve toilets and sanitation systems. It underscores the fact that every sector and every Nigerian can do something and has a role to play in tackling the sanitation crisis.”
He noted that “toilets are a foundation stone of public health and they play an important role in protecting the environment. They effectively and hygienically remove human waste away from the home, reducing the exposure our loved ones have to human waste and diseases.
“Unfortunately, toilets and the sanitation systems that support them are underfunded, poorly managed or neglected in many parts of the world including Nigeria with devastating consequences for health, economics and the environment particularly in the poorest and most marginalized communities. Right now, about 4.2 billion people in the world live without safe toilets and about 48 million Nigerians still practice open defecation, as many people still use the bush and water bodies as their regular means for excreta disposal.
“Many institutions, public and private, do not have sanitary facilities and where they exist they are either not functioning or misused. Most urban areas do not have sewerage systems and safe collection of sewage. Therefore, disposal becomes a huge challenge as many of the water bodies including rivers and streams become a repository for sewage and wastewater.”
He added that: “The sanitation crisis poses a threat to our natural environment and the health of citizens, particularly women, girls and other vulnerable groups. One of the major consequences of poor excreta and sewage disposal is the high rate of diarrhoea disease which is the second cause of high morbidity and mortality rates among children under the age of five. The persistent re-occurrence of annual incidences of cholera outbreaks in some of our states are also manifestations of inadequate toilet facilities. Yet this could also be prevented through safe excreta disposal by every individual.”
Abbas revealed that: “The Federal Government of Nigeria is committed to addressing the sanitation challenges in the country and ensuring proper management of excreta. This commitment is demonstrated by Mr. President’s declaration of a state of emergency on water, sanitation and hygiene in the country and the signing of Executive Order No. 009 on Open Defecation Free Nigeria by 2025. Equally, the Federal Ministry of Environment in collaboration with critical stakeholders has reviewed and validated the 2005 National Environmental Sanitation Policy including its policy guidelines on safe excreta and sewage disposal, which will soon be presented to the Federal Executive Council for approval.
“The Federal Ministry of Environment is also continuing with its community-based intervention on the control of open defecation programme as well as the Clean and Green Programme aimed among others at promoting the provision of safe and adequate toilets across the country, particularly in public places and ensuring proper excreta management.”
He disclosed that modern public toilets have been provided in communities and markets across the Federation under these programmes. “To strengthen the capacity of our Environmental Health Officers, this year, the Ministry renewed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), India on technology transfer, technical assistance, capacity building and research development in areas of water, sanitation and environmental management. The CSE has conducted specialized training on affordable toilet designs and feacal sludge management and reuse for at least fifty (50) Environmental Health Officers and Sanitation Desk Officers across the 36 States’ Ministry of Environment including FCT.”
Abbas while highlighting the activities to mark the day which is scheduled for next Tuesday, said. “I am using this opportunity to appeal to all National, State and Local Government stakeholders in environmental sanitation not only to do the talking but take practical steps and actions individually and collectively as agents of change to ensure everyone has access to toilets in their domain. Likewise, all commercial entities such as petrol stations, shopping malls etc are encouraged to launch functional toilet facilities for the public as part of their corporate social responsibilities.”
On his part, the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev said: “The Government recognizes that access to adequate Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) services is a critical factor for the socio-economic development of any nation with implications for human capital outcomes such as early childhood survival, health and educational attainment.
“In addition, the practice of open defecation due to the dearth of sanitation facilities is directly correleated with sanitation-related diseases, poor educational outcomes and loss of productivity. This is beside such as other consequences such as the concomitant lack of dignity, inconvenience and violence experienced by women and girls, when practising open defecation.”
He said: “In recognition of the cross-cutting nature of the Government’s interventions, the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation is collaborating with other partners under the auspices of the National Task Group on Sanitation (NTGS) in commemorating the 2023 World Toilet Day. The commemoration activities are targeted at mobilizing actions at all levels through building synergy to improve sustainable access to sanitation in the country. It is our target to reach every Nigerian with a message on safe toilets and sanitation systems in the course of these engagements. The modest achievements recorded through our interventions were made possible through the collaboration of partners. I will be remise without acknowledging their partnership and support for our initiatives in the Sanitation and Hygiene Sector.”
About 25 Percent Nigerians Openly Defecate, Laments FG
Bandits abduct four farmers in Zamfara
By: Zagazola Makama
Atleast four farmers were abducted by suspected bandits in Tudun Moriki, Zurmi Local Government Area of the state.
Security sources said the incident occurred on May 15 at about 12:00 p.m. while the victims were working on their farms.
Armed men stormed the farmlands and whisked away the victims to an unknown destination.
Security forces promptly mobilised to scene and launched a rescue operation, while efforts are ongoing to track and apprehend the suspects.
Bandits abduct four farmers in Zamfara
Three dead, 21 injured in Bama stampede during humanitarian cash distribution
By: Zagazola Makama
Three persons were confirmed dead and several others injured following a stampede during a humanitarian cash disbursement exercise organized by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and UNICEF in Bama, Borno State.
According to eye witnesses, the stampede occurred on May 15 at about 8:00 a.m. at Kasugula Primary School, one of the designated payment centres in Bama. Beneficiaries had gathered to receive a flat-rate cash assistance of N28,500.
The situation reportedly spiraled out of control as the crowd surged toward the school gate, resulting in a stampede.
Those who sustained injuries include Falmata Alhaji Modu, Falmata Modu, Tella Babagana Tujani, Bulama Yakime, Amina Mohammed, Mallam Akura, Fatima Bukar, Yagana Ibrahim, Fatima Mohammed, Fatima Abatcha, Zara Lawan, Inde Modu, and Aisha Abdullahi, all residents of Bama town. Bukar Labddo (60) of Bukar Tela Ward was pronounced dead on arrival at General Hospital Bama.
Hospital said that two additional victims later died while undergoing treatment in the hospital.
The sources said that reinforcement was immediately deployed to the scene to restore order and facilitate the evacuation of the injured to the hospital.
The deceased has been released to his family for burial in accordance with Islamic rites.
Three dead, 21 injured in Bama stampede during humanitarian cash distribution
President Tinubu: We’ll Continue To Equip The Military To End Insecurity In Nigeria
** Inducts 2 new Agusta A-109S Trekker Power Attack Helicopters into NAF
By: Our Reporter
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Friday in Abuja inducted two Agusta A-109S Trekker Power Attack Helicopters into the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), with a solemn promise that his administration will continue to invest in cutting-edge defence technologies and provide the Nigerian military with the resources needed to end Insecurity in the country.
He expressed confidence that the deployment of the helicopters will add impetus to the combat power of the nation’s military in the ongoing fight against insecurity in Nigeria as well as the entire West African region.
The President was represented by his deputy, Vice President Kashim Shettima, at the induction ceremony held at the Presidential Air Fleet Apron, Abuja, as part of activities to mark the 61st anniversary of the NAF.
The two new helicopters are the latest in the list of recent military procurements, including Diamond-62 surveillance aircraft, T-129 ATAK helicopters and King Air 360i platforms.
The President assured his administration’s steadfastness in modernising the Armed Forces by ensuring that they get the best tools to perform their duties effectively.
He said, “We will continue to invest in cutting-edge defence technologies and provide our military with the resources needed to counter both conventional and asymmetric threats.”
The President noted that the purchase of the combat helicopters, as well as others that will be delivered in the coming months, was part of the federal government’s resolve to equip the armed forces to combat the contemporary insecurity challenges and protect Nigerians despite budgetary constraints.
“I am overly confident and rightly so that the deployment of these newly acquired platforms will add impetus to the combat power of the Nigerian Air Force in tackling our contemporary security challenges, not only within the shores of our Country but also in the West African sub-region.
“Despite our budgetary constraints amidst the prevailing economic situation, the acquisition of these aircraft, amongst other military equipment, is an expression of our commitment to enhanced national security. We shall ensure that every sector of our nation experiences the change that we have promised,” he stated.
President Tinubu explained that the investment in air power aligns with the broader vision of his administration “to create a buoyant and self-sufficient economy for local and foreign investments to thrive,” in order for Nigerians to partake in meaningful, productive ventures.
“It is for this reason that strengthening national security for peace and prosperity is a key priority area in the Renewed Hope Agenda,” he declared, pointing out that efforts by the military to finally wrapping up ongoing onslaught against the enemies of the nation’s collective progress are necessary in building the trust and confidence the citizens need to thrive and prosper.
“You must therefore step up and intensify your efforts at conclusively ending the multi-dimensional security challenges facing our dear country,” he told the NAF, just as he demanded discipline from its personnel in operation and “a strong maintenance culture that will enable the nation to derive maximum benefits from these acquisitions”.
Earlier in his welcome remarks, Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar, said the induction ceremony of the recently acquired Agusta A-109S Trekker Helicopters is a clear testament to the federal government’s unwavering commitment to strengthening the capabilities of the nation’s military.
According to him, the idea is to enable the Air Force to combat terrorism, bandits, oil theft and other security problems confronting the country, just as he pointed out that the nation’s dynamic landscape demands an agile, well-equipped and responsive Air Force that is capable of rapid deployments across multiple theatres.
Abubakar explained that the successful acquisition of the helicopters is a significant feat in the modernisation effort of the Nigerian Air Force, saying the helicopters are specially designed for challenging operations, with cockpits that are ideally suited for training, battlefield operations and emergency response missions, among others.
Dignitaries present at the event included: Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on Air Force, Senator Austin Akobundu; Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar; Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa; Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla; Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Sylvester Nwakuche; Accountant General of the Federation, Shamsudeen Babatunde Ogunjimi; Auditor-General for the Federation, Shaakaa Kanyitor Chira and Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in Nigeria, Zubaida Umar Abubakar, among others.
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