Nnewi Certified Open Defecation-Free as Clean Nigeria Campaign Gains Momentum in South-East

 

The Clean Nigeria, Use The Toilet Campaign is gaining momentum across Nigeria, with Nnewi North in Anambra State joining a growing list of Local Government Areas (LGAs) that have achieved an Open Defecation-Free (ODF) status. The Federal Government recently certified 142 out of 744 LGAs nationwide as ODF, a significant achievement in the country’s efforts to combat poor sanitation and its associated health risks.

At a one-day sensitization programme held in Awka, Anambra State, the National Coordinator of the Clean Nigeria Campaign, Chizoma Okpara, expressed her disappointment at the persistence of open defecation in the 21st century. She described the ongoing prevalence of the practice as a reflection of "high lack of commitment" from key stakeholders, particularly those in positions of power who should be advocating for better sanitation and hygiene practices at the grassroots level.

The programme, organized by the National Water Resources Building Network (NWRBN) South-East Centre in collaboration with Clean Nigeria, Use The Toilet, and Environment Development, emphasized the need for a collective commitment to ending open defecation across Nigeria. Mrs. Okpara pointed out that poor water supply, inadequate sanitation, and environmental degradation pose serious challenges to the country’s health and well-being. She urged the need for a change in public attitudes towards hygiene and the importance of community-wide participation in tackling open defecation.

Nnewi North, along with Anambra East and Aguata LGAs, were among those certified as ODF by the Water and Sanitation Hygiene (WASH) initiative. Okpara highlighted that this certification was a commendable step forward but stressed that much more needed to be done to ensure that all states in the South-East and beyond achieved similar milestones. “We need to encourage more robust efforts at the local level,” she said. “This is not just about infrastructure but a cultural shift towards better sanitation practices.”

The programme also called for broader collaboration across all sectors of society, urging stakeholders including religious leaders, traditional rulers, women’s and youth groups, and the private sector to intensify their efforts to eliminate open defecation. Mrs. Okpara emphasized that while government efforts were critical, the private sector and philanthropists must play a vital role in driving change and funding the initiative.

The Chairman of the occasion, Ike-Obi Ejiofor, the Managing Director of Anambra State Water Resources Management Agency, commended the steps taken by Anambra State, especially in achieving open defecation-free status in certain LGAs. He noted that the participation of the five South-East Commissioners for Power and Water Resources in the event demonstrated the strong strategy behind the campaign.

The Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Prof. Ike Chebelu, represented by Prof. Ada Omeyi, also reiterated the importance of maintaining clean and sanitary conditions within institutions, stating that the university was committed to providing clean water and promoting proper sanitation across its campuses. "Open defecation is an unhealthy practice that no institution should condone," Prof. Omeyi remarked.

A key highlight of the event was the address by the Director-General of the National Water Resources Institute (NWRI), Mike Nwode, who emphasized the urgency of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030, particularly the goal to end open defecation. "Nigeria is losing approximately N450 billion annually due to poor sanitation," Nwode said, underscoring the economic toll of inadequate sanitation practices.

Youth participation in the Clean Nigeria campaign was also a central theme of the event. Uchenna Obiakor, the Coordinator of the Youth Wash Initiative Africa, called on young Nigerians to take the lead in advocating for better water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) practices in their communities. "Young people have the power to drive lasting change," Obiakor said, urging the youth to form local WASH associations to tackle the sanitation challenges in their communities.

The traditional ruler of Umuawuku Community in Awka South LGA, Dr. Joel Egwuonwu, echoed the need for greater financial support for the campaign. He appealed to governments at all levels, as well as wealthy individuals and organizations, to contribute to the Clean Nigeria campaign to improve public health and protect citizens from diseases linked to poor sanitation.

State officials, including Godwin Iloh, the Member of the Anambra State House of Assembly representing Ihiala Two constituency, also lent their support to the initiative. Mr. Iloh pledged to push for legislative measures that would make the state’s commitment to eliminating open defecation more enforceable, promising to introduce a law within three months to address the issue.

Finally, Julius Chukwuemeka, Anambra State's Commissioner for Power and Water Resources, who was represented by Permanent Secretary Victor Ezekwo, highlighted the state government's commitment to improving its water supply and sanitation systems. Citing the ongoing water projects in Nnewi, Awka, and Onitsha, he reaffirmed that the government would continue to prioritize environmental sustainability in its policies.

As the Clean Nigeria campaign gathers momentum across the country, stakeholders are urged to intensify their efforts to ensure that open defecation is eradicated by 2030, thereby contributing to healthier communities and sustainable development.