The Centre for School Health Education and Environmental Hygiene (CSHEEH) has urged Nigerians to embrace regular handwashing with soap to prevent infectious diseases and protect public health.

Dr Folasade Momoh, Executive Director of CSHEEH, made the call during the 2026 Global Handwashing Day commemoration at Gado Nasko Science Primary School, Gwagwalada, Abuja.

Momoh said handwashing remained one of the simplest and most effective ways of preventing diseases and protecting lives, particularly among schoolchildren and other vulnerable populations.

She said the annual event, observed globally on Oct. 15, was designed to promote awareness and encourage proper hand hygiene in homes, schools and communities.

According to her, this year’s theme, “Be a Handwashing Hero,” underscores the responsibility of individuals to protect others through regular and proper handwashing practices.

“A hero is not necessarily someone with superpowers; a hero is anyone who washes their hands correctly and encourages others to do the same.

“Every pupil, teacher, parent and community member can become a handwashing hero by adopting and promoting this simple but life-saving practice,” she said.

Momoh described this year’s commemoration as particularly significant, given the country’s public health challenges, including diphtheria and the reported Ebola outbreak.

She said poor hand hygiene could facilitate the transmission of several infectious diseases, including diarrhoea, cholera, typhoid and respiratory infections.

“At a time when we are confronting disease outbreaks, handwashing with soap is no longer merely a good habit; it is a life-saving intervention.

“It provides a critical first line of defence against infections and helps protect individuals, families and communities,” she said.

The executive director said CSHEEH deliberately chose schoolchildren for the campaign because they were particularly vulnerable but could also become powerful advocates for behavioural change.

She explained that the commemoration featured health education sessions, practical demonstrations of proper handwashing, recognition of handwashing heroes and the donation of hygiene materials.

Momoh said the health education session focused on what, why, when, who and how to wash hands properly to promote better hygiene practices.

She announced that CSHEEH, with support from its partners, donated handwashing stands, buckets with taps, receptacle bowls, liquid soap and information, education and communication materials.

She said the materials would be strategically positioned within the school to encourage regular handwashing and sustain the practice beyond the commemoration.

“Our intention is not simply to celebrate Global Handwashing Day but to establish a lasting culture of hygiene among pupils.

“We want every child to understand that clean hands protect lives and that the habit must become part of their daily routine,” she said.

Momoh said selected community influencers and pupils were also recognised as handwashing heroes to serve as ambassadors in their schools, homes and communities.

She urged the recognised ambassadors to use their influence to educate others and promote proper hand hygiene across their respective communities.

“Being decorated as a handwashing hero comes with responsibility. We expect our ambassadors to demonstrate good hygiene practices and inspire others to follow their example,” she said.

She expressed appreciation to the Education Secretary of the Gwagwalada Local Education Authority for approving the school as the venue for the commemoration.

Momoh also commended the school’s management, teachers and pupils for their cooperation and enthusiasm, which contributed to the successful conduct of the event.

She appreciated the Director of Public Health, FCTA, and the Health Promotion and Education Division for their technical support and partnership during the campaign.

The executive director also thanked media organisations and other partners for supporting the campaign through financial and material contributions towards its successful implementation.

She urged journalists to intensify public enlightenment on hand hygiene, emphasising that the message of clean hands should reach every household in the FCT.

Momoh called on pupils, teachers, parents and other participants to sustain the lessons learnt during the commemoration and promote proper handwashing practices.

“Let us return to our classrooms, offices and homes and teach others how to wash their hands correctly.

“Together, we can build healthier schools and communities because clean hands save lives,” she said.

NAN reports that technical personnel from the Public Health Department of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) led practical demonstrations at the event.(NAN)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru