By Gbenga Olaniyi
Participants at a workshop organized by Environmental Development and Family Heath Organization have called on government at all levels to equip communities and various public facilities with water and other necessities that can enhance proper hygiene among members of the public.
The workshop which centers on the role of media in Water, Sanitation and Hygiene is aimed at increasing the technical capacity of journalists to effectively report and analyze water and sanitation issues advocating for essential role of safe water, improved hygiene and sanitation in the wider human development agenda.
Speaking during the programme, the participants who are journalists and members of CSOs believed that proper hygiene could not be achieved in an environment that lacks running water, toilet and other environmental needs.
The participants also unanimously agreed that media professionals have a role to play in ensuring better advocacy and awareness to members of the public on the importance of regular hand washing, sanitation and hygienic environment.
In a paper presentation the National Programme Manager of Environmental Development and Family Heath Organization Love Ogundipe and his counterpart Idowu Ogundipe explained that journalists are key stakeholders whose roles in the sustainability of water sanitation and hygiene cannot be quantified.
They explained that journalists must live up to expectation by Amplifying the voices of the poor that lack access to water and sanitation so as to attract the attention of relevant authorities towards addressing the situation.
The speakers stressed the need for government to give better priority to Budget for water Sanitation and hygiene.
They added “This project is designed to strengthen ongoing efforts to curtail the spread of the coronavirus disease in Nigeria by supporting national and state governments to promote hygiene practices and hygiene behaviour change on a massive scale.
“More than 130 much needed handwashing facilities will be installed in busy public places (Markets, Motor Parks, and Public Higher Institutions) in Ekiti State.
“Hygiene product packs will be distributed to 4,000 households and 1,000 people with disabilities. A large-scale hygiene campaign will also be carried out on TV, radio and billboards. It is hoped the project will reach thousands of people across the state.
“Hand washing with soap is the first line of defence against the spread of infectious diseases such as Covid-19, but according to Government statistics more than 160 million in Nigeria lack access to basic handwashing facilities with soap and water, increasing the risk of infection.
“Environmental Development and Family Health Organization (EDFHO) through the project will support the state effort at addressing WASH challenges through focused advocacy.
“You will recall that Ekiti State Government had earlier declared a state of emergency in the WASH sector and later launched a road map to make Ekiti State Open Defecation Free (ODF) by 2022. A key to achieving this goal is to have a strong WASH coordination within the state and a full implementation of the approved WASH department establishment by the State government at all level.
“Legislators from the state both at the National and State level will be engaged to prioritise WASH infrastructure in their constituency projects as well as showcase what they are already doing to contribute to improved hygiene in Ekiti State.
Earlier, the Executive Director, Environmental Development and Family Heath Organization, Sir, Olu Ogunrotimi appealed to journalists to ficus more on personal hygiene in their programmes and reportages.
Participants at the programme drawn from prints, electronics and new media described the workshop as an eye opener.
