The Federal Government has advised Nigerians to adopt good personal and environmental hygiene to curb the spread of cholera in the country.
The Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Environment, Mahmud Kambari, stated this on Saturday during the 2024 National Environmental Sanitation Day in Piwoyi, a suburb of the Federal Capital Territory.
The National Environmental Sanitation Day, held annually on June 28, aims to raise awareness about the importance of personal and environmental hygiene among Nigerians.
Kambari, represented by Olubunmi Olusanya, Director of Pollution Control and Environmental Health, emphasized the need for sanitation practices to prevent communicable diseases.
“Currently, we face a cholera outbreak caused by bacteria spread through contaminated water or food due to unhygienic practices,” he said. “To combat this, we must adopt good environmental sanitation practices, such as avoiding open defecation.”
He also stated that the government will continue partnering with the community to ensure cleanliness.
Olusanya added, “Open defecation is a primary cause of cholera. We must wash our hands before eating and thoroughly cook our food. Good sanitation and hygiene practices will protect us from diseases.”
Dr. Edwin Edeh, representing the World Health Organization, urged landlords to build toilets to promote good hygiene. “Landlords should ensure their houses have toilets, and everyone should wash their hands regularly,” he said.
Jonathan Duku from Breakthrough Action Nigeria highlighted the broader benefits of cleanliness. “Eradicating cholera and Lassa fever requires mitigating environmental challenges. A clean environment prevents rats that cause Lassa fever,” Duku said.
The Etsu of Piwoyi community, Lazurus Bahago, praised the government and its partners for the awareness campaign and pledged to promote good sanitation practices among residents.