Kwara launches anti-open defecation campaign in Ilorin

The Kwara State Government, in collaboration with Kwara for Kwarans Initiative, has launched a sensitization campaign aimed at promoting hygiene and safe sanitation practices at Oja Tuntun Market in Ilorin.

The campaign, themed, “Say No to Open Defecation,” featured presentations on proper hygiene, safe sanitation, and community responsibilities, emphasizing the role of collective action in building healthier and cleaner communities in the state.

Kwara State Commissioner for Water Resources, Hon. Usman Yunusa Lade, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to improving the wellbeing of residents.

He highlighted the State’s achievements in water and sanitation and underscored the importance of initiatives like this campaign in promoting public health.

The Commissioner assured traders and residents at Oja Tuntun that the government will continue to provide support for sanitation facilities, while appealing to communities to actively manage and maintain the infrastructure provided. “Government can provide toilets and water, but it is the responsibility of residents to ensure proper management,” he said.

The General Manager, Kwara State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA), Chief Olorunfemi Adewumi Oladipo, expressed appreciation to the Kwara State Government and Kwara for Kwarans Initiative for their collaboration in driving the campaign.

He emphasized that government interventions alone are not sufficient to achieve sustainable sanitation stressing that active community participation is essential.

Oladipo explained that RUWASSA has implemented several programs across Kwara State to improve access to clean water and sanitation, noting that when communities take ownership, the facilities provided last longer and have a greater impact on public health.

He further highlighted the importance of continuous education, saying that sensitization campaigns like “Say No to Open Defecation” are critical to changing behaviors and fostering proper hygiene practices at the grassroots level.

The RUWASSA boss also stressed the agency’s commitment to ongoing monitoring and support for communities, ensuring that water and sanitation facilities remain functional and properly maintained.

Oladipo encouraged residents to see these facilities as collective property, reinforcing the idea that sustainability is a shared responsibility.

Earlier, Amb. Anjorin Samuel Babatunde, Convener of Kwara for Kwarans Initiative, who delivered the opening remarks, highlighted the need for collective efforts to achieve a cleaner environment.

He thanked the Kwara State Government and RUWASSA for their dedication to improving sanitation in Oja Tuntun Market.

The event also featured presentations from Mr. Olalekan Rufai, H.O.D Sanitation and Hygiene, who educated participants on proper hygiene practices and safe sanitation, reaffirming their commitment to supporting initiatives that promote public health and wellbeing.