By Tosin Kolade

The Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation has announced a partnership with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to address open defecation and poor sanitation  challenges in the country.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr Richard Pheelangwah, communicated this at a workshop for NYSC Community Development Service (CDS) Focal Officers of the Clean Nigeria Campaign on Thursday in Abuja.

Pheelangwah was represented by the Director of Reforms and Coordination in the Ministry, Mr Moses Jo-Madugu.

He said that the government had implemented the Partnership for Expanded Water, Sanitation and Hygiene and the Sustainable Urban and Rural Water, Sanitation and Hygiene programmes to improve poor sanitation indicators.

“The Clean Nigeria Campaign is a clarion call to action; we are excited to collaborate with the NYSC to mobilise Corps members nationwide.

“Through your CDS activities, we aim to trigger a sanitation revolution to end open defecation in Nigeria.

“With our recently reviewed Strategic Plan, unveiled the Vice-President on Nov. 19, 2024, we believe that activities will be rolled out in line with the YouthWASH Strategy.

“We count on your active participation and engagement; this will accelerate progress towards our common goal,” Pheelangwah said.

In her address of welcome, Mrs Elizabeth Ugoh, Director of Water Quality Control and Sanitation in the ministry, said the training aimed to equip NYSC CDS officers with the skills to contribute effectively to the Clean Nigeria Campaign.

“Over the next two days, we will explore key strategies, share best practices and engage in collaborative activities.

“These activities are designed to inspire and empower you.”

Ugoh emphasised that the campaign was not only about achieving goals but also about building a passionate community committed to making a positive impact in the sanitation sector.

“Your involvement is crucial; we believe that through this training workshop, you will gain valuable insights that will enhance your role in our efforts to reach individuals in communities across the country,” she said.

She urged the NYSC CDS officers to actively participate in knowledge-sharing.

According to her, it is a collaborative effort and every voice matters.

NYSC Representative, Mrs Funmilayo Ajayi, said that the partnership aimed to raise awareness about hygiene and sanitation at the grassroots level.

Ajayi pledged readiness to work closely with the ministry for a cleaner society, adding that the collaboration would ensure grassroots communities were educated about proper sanitation practices.

In her presentation, the National Coordinator of the Clean Nigeria, Use the Toilet Campaign, Mrs Chizoba Opara, said that a defecation-free Nigeria was everyone’s responsibility.

She added that the collaboration would involve conducting community awareness campaigns through corps members to promote behavioural change.

In his goodwill message, the National Coordinator of the YouthWASH Initiative Africa, Mr Nature Obiakor, said the National YouthWASH Strategic Framework was unveiled in 2023 to promote youth engagement in WASH initiatives.

Obiakor, who stressed that the youth were highly creative, called for more collaboration from stakeholders in the water sector.

He said that the partnership would help build a cleaner and healthier nation for future generations.

“Our efforts are aligned with national and global goals; these include the Clean Nigeria Campaign and the Sustainable Development Goals,’’ he said.

The two-day workshop, organised in collaboration with Self Help Africa, had participants from all 36 states and the FCT.

The event aimed to strengthen the collaboration between the ministry and grassroots organisations to achieve sanitation goals. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Chijioke Okoronkwo