Soji Ajibola, Ibadan
Oyo State Government has pledged to be the first state in the country to end open defecation before the 2025 set date.
Making the declaration at a 5-day training workshop in Ibadan on Thursday, Secretary to the State Government, Mrs Olubanwo Adeosun, said the state is known for taking the lead in good governance and human development.
Adeosun, who restated the commitment of the present administration to healthy environment, said necessary machinery had been put in place towards achieving the set goal.
She stated that a 5-day training was aimed at changing the attitude of rural dwellers in the areas of hygiene and healthy living.
Adeosun reiterated that the current administration was poised to stamp out unhygienic behaviours that contributed to mortality among the rural populace, describing the workshop as a practical demonstration of community triggering efforts for early end to open defecation.
She declared that the state government would continue to support Oyo RUWASSA to ensure that the aims and targets of the agency were achieved.
Adeosun said, “We have set our own target to end this menace of open defecation and with what we have to day and the next four days in training and drive of the desk officers from the 33 local government areas, we assure the people that once again, Oyo State will set the pace among other States in stamping out the menace of open defecation.
“It is very important to appreciate the efforts of the Federal Ministry of Water Resources as well as our sponsor, UNICEF for collaborating with Oyo State Rural Water Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA) in fighting this battle, we shall continue to make them proud by doing our best in giving the people of the State healthy living environment.”
Chairman Oyo RUWASSA, Najeem Omirinde, gave kudos to the Governor Seyi Makinde for his vision of providing an enabling environment for the people of the state to live and prosper in their economic pursuits.
He enjoined the people of the state to continue their support for the administration so as to be able to actualise an Oyo State, which he said was the dream of the founding fathers of the state.