Hygiene: WaterAid Donates Hand Washing Items To Enugu Schools

Posted by Ignatius Okpara Latest Headlines, News Across Nigeria, News From The State Wednesday, October 19th, 2022

(AFRICAN EXAMINER) – As part of activities to Commemorate the 2022 global Hand washing day in Enugu State, WaterAid Nigeria in partnership with a non- governmental body, South Saharan Social Development Organization SSSDO, has donated hand washing stations and detergents to primary schools in Enugu North Senatorial district of the state.

The two benefitting schools are, Township primary school (1) Ogurute, Enugu Ezike, and Community primary school Ugwu- Amufie, Enugu Ezike, both in Igbo Eze North local government area of the state.

Our Correspondent reports that 15th, October every year is observed as world Hand Washing day, but was marked this year on Monday and Tuesday in parts of Nigeria, including Enugu State, due to the fact that the date fell on a Saturday.

Speaking while handing over the items to headship of the schools on Tuesday, WaterAid programme monitoring and Evaluation officer, Mr. Eta Eteta, who led the Organization’s team, including Staffers, implementing partner, SSSDO, to the schools, explained that the gesture was part of their commitment in promoting hygiene in the state, schools inclusive.

Eta, who illustrated before the pupils effective way of hand washing, advised them to always make use of the stations while in school, adding that they must take the issue of hand washing which must not last below 20 seconds very seriously.

According to him, “as pupils, you must always take your personal hygiene and that of your school surroundings very seriously. Make sure ,you wash your hands properly after going to toilet, before eating and after playing, it is for your own good.

The WaterAid official, and his team, had during the event inaugurated the Executive Committee (Exco) of Environmental Health Clubs (EHC) in the two schools.

He explained that the idea was aimed at imbibing the culture of hygiene on the pupils at early age, as it’s always good to catch them young in all things of life.

In her brief remark, the Water and Sanitation Hygiene (WASH) Program Manager for (South Saharan Social Development Organization), Mrs. Jessica Ezieme, informed the schools that the programme powered by WaterAid, is funded by Hygiene and Behaviour Change Coalition HBCC.

She urged the management of the benefiting schools to ensure that the facilities are put in proper use, so that the purpose for its provision would not be defeated.

Speaking with Our Correspondent, Head Teacher of Township primary school 1, Mrs. Josephine Mamah, expressed appreciation to WaterAid Nigeria for remembering them, saying “as Oliver twist, we are appealing to you, government and individuals to come to our aid, in terms of provision of toilet facilities in our school.

“We don’t have toilet facilities in this school. Our pupils make use of the bush whenever they are pressed, and that is not good, because it exposes them to all manner of danger, especially snake and other dangerous reptiles in the bush.

Also speaking in an interview, a primary six pupil, and president of the Environmental Health Club in the school, Master Anthony Ali, speaker to the governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and WaterAid, to help them solve the toilet problem.

At Community primary school, Ugwu- Amufie, the Mrs. Florence Ayogu, led excited tutored pupils, to roll out their drums for the visitors in appreciation for their kind gesture.