Oyo Govt flags off Clean Nigeria Campaign, declares State Emergency on Water, others 

Oyo State Government has declared State of Emergency on Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (Wash) during its official launching of Open Defecation Free Road Map. 

The program, tagged “Clean Nigeria Campaign’ was flagged off on Wednesday at the University of Ibadan International Conference Hall. 

While speaking, the Chief Water Sanitation and Hygiene to Nigeria, Dr. Jane Bevan said the campaign will reduce poverty by providing enabling, clean and healthy environment. It will also prevent disease such as cholera and other communicable diseases. 

She maintained that less than 54% do not have access to toilet, expressing the readiness of UNICEF to collaborate with Oyo State Government to put an end to Open Defecations across the state. 

In her remarks, the Minister of Water Resources, Sulaiman Adamu Kazaure, ably repressed by the Permanent Secretary, Mrs Dide Esther Walson- Jack, MNI, said it is the desire of the Federal Government to aggressively put an end to Defecation, which according to her, was advocated by the Vice President of Nigeria, Yemi Osinbajo, in 2013. 

 She added that the State and local governments will provide wash services in all Schools, Health care facilities, Motor parks and Markets. 

The Former Governor of Oyo State, Rasheed Adewolu Ladoja, in his submission, said Bodija happens to be the first estate in Nigeria. If you are talking about Bodija, what about my own local area in Isale Ose. Borehole can never take the place of normal principal water. 

He said with the collaboration of the Minister of Water Resources and Oyo state, he is sure there will be a solution. 

Ladoja stressed by saying that there’s no House in Ibadan that doesn’t have toilet. “About 80% of this area will have water system, either power with borehole or normal principal water.”

He suggested that the campaign should be flagged off in areas like Ogbooro and Iwajowa where the campaign will achieve its desired goal. 

According to him, “2030 is too long for Oyo state to put an end to Open Defecation. We must strengthen it. When the coordinator disclosed that they have deposited 20 million, I was of the opinion that it is too small because we should even be talking about 200 million and looking for more counterpart funds.”

“I can assure you of the support of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, the High Chief of Olubadan of Ibadanland, and prominent people born and brought up in Ibadanland. 

In his remarks, the Deputy Governor, Bayo Lawal, who specially recognized the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, Adewolu Ladoja, described him as a reservoir of knowledge and fountain of traditional knowledge. He said it is necessary for him to continuously engage him and tap from his wealth of knowledge. 

“Oyo state is single out as a pilot state for UNICEF. We will need their presence very strongly. Their activities are much in Oyo state. Your office must be situated in Oyo state,”— he added. 

Others in attendance include Head of Service, Alhaja Agboola; Comissioner for Land, Segun Olayiwola; Commissioner for Environment, Abiodun Oni, Chairman RUWASSA, Alhaji Najimdeen Omirinde, host of others.