Bauchi State Government in collaboration with WaterAid Nigeria and funding from, Sanitation and Hygiene Fund (SHF), has flagged off open defection free campaign and ending cholera advocacy in the State.
The flaging off ceremony was held at the Palace of the Emirs of Misau and Jama’are as well as that of Gung-Za’ar, variously by the State Commissioner of Health and Social Welfare, Dr Sani Mohammed Dambam.
In his speech at ceremonies, the Commissioner said that, “Open or indiscriminate defaecation is one of the primitive unhygienic practices that portends serious health hazard not only to the individual, families, communities but also to the entire human race and the environment.”
The Commissioner stressed that, “Open defaecation practice directly pollute our environment (land, air and water). Imagine how our environment will look-like, if we refuse to bury our dead ones!”
According to him, “There are estimated 45 – 50m people who practice open defaecation in Nigeria. It is more in the rural than urban areas. It is highest in North-Central with about 53.9% followed by South-West with 28.0%. Luckily, North East and indeed Bauchi State are not among the worst.”
Sani Mohammed Dambam added that,”The causes of open defaecation include but not limited to; lack of toilets, ignorance, poverty, behavior and situational. The harmful effects include infections causing over 100, 000 under five children annually (virus e.g – Polio, bacteria e.g. – Cholera, parasitic e.g. – worms); social by negatively affecting our interactions; psychological and economical causing loss of about N455b.”
He however pointed out that the Governor of Bauchi State has instituted some interventions in the State to control the menace, saying,”His Excellency in an effort to address it, had inaugurated the multi-sectoral State Cholera Steering Committee (SCSC) under the able leadership of HE the Deputy Governor including Ministies of Environment, Agriculture, Water Resources, Education, Budget, Finance, as well as the State Cholera Technical Working Group (SCTWG) under the HCH&SW. ”
“He has been giving us all the necessary support to address the menace. Similarly, the State in collaboration with our Partner: the WaterAid Nigeria, have selected 3 LGAs (Jama’are, Misau and T/Balewa) for elimination of Open Defaecation. They have worked in collaboration with our communities and have converted many of them as Open Defaecation Free (ODF). ”
He added,”It is gratifying to note that in addition to the health education and Govt/Partners building toilets, but more interesting aspect was how many communities have contributed money to build toilets to some families and communities. This highly encouraging and a clear sign, we will soon have an ODF Bauchi State in the near feature.”
“However, the Project will be ending this month (May 20226); hence there is need for the communities to sustained and even improved on this noble Project. It is our strong believe that the Traditional, Religious and Community leaders are in better position to realise this noble ambition. We are therefore, soliciting the support of their Royal Highnesses, LGAs Chairpersons to continue to support us even more after the Project. We are equally soliciting for the extension this laudable Project by our Donor Partners,” he concluded.
In his remarks, State Team Lead of WaterAid Nigeria, Mashat Mallo, states that,”Today, WaterAid and partners in collaboration with the Bauchi State Commissioner for Health are in Misau engaging with the Misau Emirate Council to flag-off a campaign towards reaching the last mile in ending open defecation in the 3 SHF LGAs and ultimately ending Cholera. ”
According to him,”The Honourable Commissioner for Health who is the Chairman of the Cholera Technical Working Group and also the “Wakilin Tsabta” of Misau LGA is leading this campaign engaging the Emirate Councils.”
Mallo stressed that, “WaterAid believes in the strong role of the Hon Commissioner and the Emirate Council as Champions in driving behaviour change and is calling on them to lead this journey towards reaching the last mile and leaving no one behind in ending open defecation and ultimately Cholera in Misau and indeed Bauchi State.”
Also speaking variously, Executive Chairpersons of Misau, Jama’are and Tafawa Balewa LGCs, assured that their Councils are ever ready to support the campaign in order to achieve the set objectives.
The Council Chairpersons further assured that whatever is required to ensure that the Council was declared Open Defection Free (ODF), will be done.
In vote of thanks, Emir of Misau, Ahmed Suleiman, Emir of Jama’are, Nuhu Mohammed Wabi and Gung-Za’ar of Za’ar Chiefdom, Brigadier-General Marcus Kokko Yake (rtd) assured that the traditional institution will play a prominent role in the campaign by educating and enlightening the communities on the need to stop open defection and construct pit latrines in their compounds.
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