The child rights bureau( crib) of the federal ministry of information and national orientation in collaboration with UNICEF organises a media tour and dialogue on water sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) services for selected health facilities and schools in jigawa state.
The officer in charge communication, advocacy and partnership section Unicef Nigeria Suzan Akila commended the effort of jigawa state government being declared open defecation free state.
This has shown commitment on the and resilience from their part in attaining the award.
Aqila added that there are still some gaps in terms of ensuring having a functional hand washing point at both schools and health facilities.
Fortunately for women we are blessed with seasonal periods were we feel we need privacy to clean and sanitize ourselves, if this are readily available girls enrollment and retention in schools will increase,” she stated.
While Shedding light on the event, Suzan Akila said that the Wash survey of 2021 shows that in Nigeria only 11% of schools have basic wash facilities while 6% in health facilities.
She said that UNICEF priorities is to ensure that children and women who are more vulnerable have access to clean sanitary environment so as not to be exposed to sickness and diseases at all times.
On his part the state universal basic education board Chairman jigawa state, professor Haruna Musa pledge the state Government commitment in ensuring that by 2030 basic schools amounting to a total of 3,346 will have 8,689 toilet facilities across the state.
During the media interactive session, he said that currently the construction of functional Wash facilities are on going as it is being amended in the state budget.
He said that the JIGAWA SUBEB under the administration of the executive governor of JIGAWA state is currently under going construction of wash facilities in schools.
The chairman added that all the construction of wash facilities are gradually taking place and assured of a speedy completion.
Representative of jigawa state Executive Governor, the technical advisor Dr Hauwa Mustapha Babura assured of the state government continuous support in providing functional basic wash facilities in schools and hospitals across the state.
She said that all what has been discussed will be conveyed to the Executive Governor for prompt action.
Some journalists interviewed express their appreciation during the inspection visit in both schools and health facilities as they were impress with the outcome of availability of water generated through solar powered boreholes in providing 24hrs steady flow of water in toilets of health facilities and schools and a well sanitized environment was sighted, but call on the state government to provide functional hand washing points.
