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FG Asks Nigerians Not to Shun Handwashing Culture Insists It is Crucial for Public Health
FG Asks Nigerians Not to Shun Handwashing Culture Insists It is Crucial for Public Health
By: Michael Mike
The Federal Government has encouraged Nigerians not to shun the handwashing culture, insisting that clean hands are crucial for public health and global health security.
Speaking at the commemoration of the Global Handwashing Day in Abuja on Tuesday, the Minister of State for Environment, Dr. Iziaq Salako while noting that about 1.8 million children under the age of 5 die each year from diarrheal diseases and pneumonia, the top two killers of young children around the world, said: “Promoting proper handwashing in Nigeria is a strategic move to equip the nation in its fight against disease outbreaks as well as global threats such as antimicrobial resistance (AMR).”
He lamented that children and other vulnerable population are more prone to such diseases like diarrheal diseases and pneumonia, because of poor knowledge about the importance and practice of effective handwashing. In order to create and promote awareness and understanding about the importance of handwashing as an easy, effective and affordable way to prevent diseases and save lives, noting that the United Nations General Assembly in 2008 declared 15th October of every year as Global Handwashing Day.
The Minister said this years’ theme: “Why Are Clean Hands Still Important?” reflects an important question which provokes the thought that irrespective of the significant progress made in promoting handwashing with soup under running water, “our journey is far from over. This theme therefore confronts every sector and every individual with the reason to continue practicing and promoting effective handwashing and not to neglect this simple but powerful practice seeing that the benefits are limitless.”
He stated that: “Hand hygiene inclusion in government plans and funding not only improves health but also boosts the economy by reducing the burden on health services and promoting high healthcare standards.
“It also contributes to attaining multiple target’s of the Sustainable Development Goals on Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), nutrition, education, health and economic growth.”
He stressed that: “For businesses including markets, effective hand hygiene practices can significantly reduce the spread of infectious diseases leading to fewer sick days for businessmen/traders, and increased productivity. This enhances marketplace well-being, supports public health, and strengthens overall resilience against disruption of business.
“In schools and workplaces such as hospitals and offices, clean hands are important in preventing diseases including hospital-acquired infections, ensuring consistent school/work attendance, and increased productivity.
“In the home, clean hands are still very much important to maintain good health by reducing the transmission of infectious agents (germs), and lowering the risk of infections such as diarrhea, typhoid and respiratory infections. Clean hands are still important in the home to prevent cross-contamination of food thereby reducing the risk of foodborne illnesses. Very importantly clean hands help to protects vulnerable family members such as newborns, elderly and immunocompromised individuals who are more susceptible to infections.”
The minister insisted that: “Handwashing with soap under running water helps to reduce diarrhoeal diseases by 30%, respiratory infections up to 20%, and can also help to reduce the transmission of outbreak-related diseases such as cholera, Lassa fever, Ebola, COVID-19, m-pox etc. Handwashing is protective against up to 50% of avoidable infections acquired during health care and also prevents the spread of antimicrobial resistance.”
FG Asks Nigerians Not to Shun Handwashing Culture Insists It is Crucial for Public Health
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Nation mourns as brave Commanding Officer, six soldiers fall after repelling attack in Monguno
Nation mourns as brave Commanding Officer, six soldiers fall after repelling attack in Monguno
By: Zagazola Makama
Grief and solemn reflection have trailed the tragic loss of a Commanding Officer and six gallant soldiers of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), whose lives were cut short shortly after successfully repelling a terrorist attack in Monguno, Borno.
In the late hours of April 12, troops of Sector 3, Joint Task Force (North East), came under an isolated infiltration attempt at Charlie 13 location. With courage and determination, the soldiers engaged the attackers in a fierce gun battle, eventually forcing them to flee and securing the area.
But even in victory, tragedy struck. Driven by an unyielding sense of duty and deep concern for his men, the Commanding Officer chose to move forward, towards the very danger others would avoid, to personally assess the situation on ground. It was a decision that reflected the very essence of true leadership: to lead from the front, to share in the risks, and to stand shoulder to shoulder with his troops.
In that moment of selfless courage, his vehicle encountered an Improvised Explosive Device (IED), killing him and six of his men. Their loss is not just a statistic, it is a profound human tragedy.
They were fathers, brothers, sons, and comrades. They were men who wore the nation’s uniform with pride, who stood in the face of danger so others could sleep in peace. They did not retreat when confronted with terror; instead, they stood firm, defended their ground, and ultimately gave everything.
The silence they leave behind echoes loudly across the ranks.
Operation HADIN KAI, in a statement by its Media Information Officer, Lt.-Col. Sani Uba, expressed deep sorrow, describing the fallen officer as a symbol of courage, sacrifice, and unwavering commitment to duty. Their ultimate sacrifice, the statement noted, will forever remain etched in the memory of the Armed Forces and the nation they served with honour.
As the country mourns these heroes, their bravery lives on not only in the victory they secured that night, but in the enduring reminder that freedom and security are often paid for with the highest price.
Nation mourns as brave Commanding Officer, six soldiers fall after repelling attack in Monguno
Troops rescue kidnap victim in kogi
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of 12 Brigade, Nigerian Army, have rescued a kidnap victim during a patrol operation in Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi.
Zagazola report that the rescue was carried out at about 2:07 p.m. on April 10 by troops deployed at the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Egbe.
Sources said the troops, while on patrol within the general area of Aaru Cashew Plantation, located the victim who had been abandoned by his captors.
Preliminary interrogation revealed that the victim was abducted on April 1 at Ejiba Community in the same local government area.
He further disclosed that the kidnappers fled and abandoned him upon sighting troops advancing towards the Dadi Kowa general area.
The victim was subsequently debriefed and safely reunited with his family.
Troops rescue kidnap victim in kogi
Troops foil motorcycle snatching attempt, rescue victims in Kaduna
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of 4 Demonstration Battalion have foiled an attempted motorcycle snatching and rescued two civilians along the Zaria–Kaduna highway in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
Security sources said the incident occurred at about 5:45 a.m. on April 10 near Old Berger Camp.
The sources disclosed that troops deployed at the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Birnin Yero responded swiftly to a distress call about an attack on two civilians riding a motorcycle towards Zaria.
“On arrival, the troops discovered that the victims had been forced to stop by a vehicle conveying suspected criminals, who were in the process of loading the motorcycle into their car trunk.
“However, the criminals abandoned the motorcycle and fled the scene upon sighting the troops,” the source said.
The injured victims were evacuated for medical attention, while the recovered motorcycle is in the custody of the troops.
Efforts are ongoing to track down the fleeing suspects and bring them to justice.
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