As part of efforts to end open defecation nationwide by 2025, the Lagos State Government on Tuesday flagged off the “Clean Nigeria: Use The Toilet” Campaign in Apapa Local Government.
In a message during the ceremony at the Legislative Hall of Apapa Local Government, the Permanent Secretary Office of Environmental Services, Dr Omobolaji Gaji said the campaign seeks to promote the use of toilets and good hygiene practices in every community across the State and in Nigeria.
Dr. Gaji, who was represented by a Director in the Office of Sanitation Services, Mr. Babajide Adeoye noted that the State Government embarked on the campaign in Ifako-Ijaiye, Ikorodu and Lagos Island Local Governments representing the three Senatorial Districts during the Year 2020 World Toilet Day with a view to decentralising the campaign in all LGAs/LCDAs.
Following the global ranking of Nigeria as the second country with the highest number of people practising open defecation, former President Muhammadu Buhari had in 2018 declared a state of emergency on open defecation and subsequently signed into law an Executive Order titled “The Open Defecation-Free Nigeria by 2025 and Other Related Matters Order 2019”
Earlier in a welcome address, the Chairman of Apapa Local Government, Mrs Adejumoke Senbanre noted that research shows that indiscriminate defecation had noticeably increased within the metropolis and
urged stakeholders present to implement decisions reached at the meeting to ensure that open defecation is totally eradicated in Apapa Local Government in particular and Lagos State at large.
The “Clean Lagos: Use the Toilet” Campaign will subsequently be launched in other Local Governments within the State.