On Thursday, Vice President Kashim Shettima took a significant step towards improving public health in Nigeria by inaugurating the Steering Committee for the “Clean Nigeria: Use the Toilet” Campaign at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
Highlighting the gravity of the situation, Shettima pointed to the 2018 Water and Sanitation Hygiene national outcome, which revealed a startling statistic: approximately 47 million Nigerians, or 23 percent of the population, still practice open defecation.
Shettima stressed that this public health challenge can be tackled effectively by mobilizing strategic stakeholders and harnessing technology. He advocated for the deployment of innovative and sustainable solutions to transform the nation’s sanitation landscape.
Recognizing the critical link between hygiene, health, and national development, Shettima urged the newly formed committee to integrate their efforts with the government’s broader priorities. These include initiatives aimed at poverty reduction, enhancing education, and fostering economic growth.
In his address, Shettima underscored the broader implications of improving sanitation, noting that a healthier population is foundational to a prosperous and thriving nation.
