October 29, 2021

3rd Meeting Of Committee On ‘Clean Nigeria: Use The Toilet’ Campaign

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ADDRESS BY HIS EXCELLENCY, PROF. YEMI OSINBAJO, SAN, GCON, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA, AT THE 3RD VIRTUAL MEETING OF THE STEERING COMMITTEE FOR THE ‘CLEAN NIGERIA: USE THE TOILET’ CAMPAIGN ON THE 29TH   OF OCTOBER, 2021

 

PROTOCOLS

 

Today’s meeting, being the first this year, provides us with the opportunity to reflect on the progress made thus far on the implementation of the Clean Nigeria Campaign and provide the needed strategic guidance towards meeting the objectives of the Campaign.

 

We, as key stakeholders in this initiative, all agree that addressing the ills of open defecation in our country will impact positively the nation’s development indices. As we all know, it is now very well established that investment in improving access to sanitation and hygiene services brings high returns on investment. And the issue of open defecation is more of a public than a private affair, as it puts everyone, not only the person involved in the act, at risk of related sickness and diseases. In this regard, it is important that we pull ideas and resources together to fight this menace. The right strategies, coupled with skilled human resources and adequate financing, will help to ensure that we are on the right track.

 

I commend the efforts invested so far in ensuring we make appreciable progress on the Campaign. In this regard, I acknowledge contributions made at the Federal, State, and Local Government levels as well as within our communities. The inputs of other partners, such as the Civil Society, Private Sector, Development Partners, and the Media, are also invaluable. I wish to appreciate the Minister of Water Resources and his team for the good coordination and hard work in pushing this agenda.

 

Ladies and Gentlemen, this is the time to double our efforts, if we are to move Nigeria away from the unfortunate position of the country with the highest number of persons practicing open defecation by our target date of 2025. We must therefore align our efforts at different levels and continually commit to using our spheres of influence in advancing the objectives of the Campaign. Strong advocacy to policymakers and the general public is a must. Also, increased funding is needed at all levels of government to end open defecation. In this respect, I expect the Blue Bond, and possibly the application of the Tax Credit Scheme to relevant projects, to significantly complement available resources. Together, we can make an Open Defecation Free Nigeria by 2025 happen. We must not rest on our oars as we push for the delivery of sustainable sanitation and hygiene services for all Nigerians.

 

Thank you for your attention.


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