Ijebu North Local LG Chairman, Odusanya Reaffirms Commitment to Eradicate Open Defecation, Partners with UNICEF, Ogun

Credit: Newsacross

The Executive Chairman of Ijebu North Local Government, Mr Bolaji Odusanya, has reaffirmed his administration’s unwavering commitment to eradicating open defecation in communities across the local government. The council boss made this declaration during a health program organized by the Ogun State Government through the Ogun State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWATSAN) in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

The program, officially inaugurated in Ijebu North by the Honourable Commissioner for Rural Development, Mrs. Oduntan Ilori, aims to combat open defecation and eliminate Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) across all local governments in Ogun State. The initiative is designed to implement NTD WASH-Based Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) activities across 167 communities within various wards in Ijebu North Local Government. Initially, the program will be piloted in communities within Mamu, Omen, and Ojowo/Japara wards before being extended to other areas in due course.

Speaking at the event, the Council Chairman, Mr Bolaji Odusanya, ably represented by the Secretary to the Local Government, Hon. Adeniyi Sojirin, assured the Ogun State Government and all development partners of his administration’s 100 per cent dedication to eradicating open defecation and ensuring the total elimination of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) in Ijebu North.

He also seized the opportunity to highlight his administration’s achievements in the health sector, pledging to implement more people-oriented policies and programs in alignment with the State Government’s efforts under the leadership of His Excellency, Prince (Dr.) Dapo Abiodun, CON, Governor of Ogun State, particularly in the health sector.

During our last tenure, our administration rehabilitated more than five Primary Health Centers and reconstructed several dilapidated and abandoned public toilets across the local government to revamp our health system, make our programs more inclusive, and discourage open defecation,” he stated.

Furthermore, we ensured that the Department of Water Supply and Environmental Sanitation remained proactive by initiating sensitization programs to educate residents on the importance of maintaining a clean environment. This time around, we are determined to do even more, ensuring our healthcare initiatives and sanitation programs reach a wider population,” he added.

In her address, the Honourable Commissioner for Rural Development, Mrs Oduntan Ilori, expressed profound gratitude to UNICEF for its support. She reaffirmed the Ministry’s and Ogun State Government’s commitment to collaborating with Ijebu North Local Government until it attains Open Defecation Free (ODF) status.

Similarly, the Honourable Commissioner for Health, Dr Tomi Coker, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Dr Kayode Oladehinde, lauded the efforts of the Local Government Chairman, particularly in managing the last cholera outbreak. She urged the council boss to intensify efforts toward completely eradicating open defecation in the local government.

Also speaking at the event, Mr. Monday Johnson, WASH Specialist for the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), revealed that, according to the WASH HANDS 2024 report, Ogun State ranks second in Nigeria in terms of a robust healthcare system. He expressed confidence that Ijebu North will soon be declared open defecation free, as the state is on track to reducing the remaining fourteen (14) per cent open defecation rate to zero, thereby eliminating waterborne diseases in Ogun State.

Furthermore, Mr. Chibuke Nwanyawu, the South-West Coordinator for the “Clean Nigeria: Use the Toilet” campaign, assured that his team would deploy all necessary resources to ensure Ijebu North Local Government attains Open Defecation Free (ODF) status within a year.

The event also had in attendance the Permanent Secretary for Rural Development, Mr. Oluwaseyi Sokoya; the Head of Local Government Administration for Ijebu North, Mr. Wale Bello; and the Local Government Director of Water Supply and Environmental Sanitation, Mrs. Elizabeth Adenike.

This collaborative effort underscores the shared commitment of the Ijebu North Local Government, Ogun State, and UNICEF to improving public health and sanitation across the region.