In a significant milestone, the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) has declared eight wards in Oyo State open defecation-free.
This achievement was announced by the Chairman of Oyo State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA), Babalola Afobaje, during a pre-event walk to mark the 2024 World Toilet Day Celebration in Ibadan.
Six wards in Ona-Ara Local Government Area and two wards in Egbeda Local Government Area have been certified open defecation-free.
This progress is attributed to the successful implementation of the Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) approach, which has increased the number of households with toilets from 10,422 to 32,658 in Ona-Ara LGA.
The Oyo State Government aims to eliminate open defecation entirely by 2028, in line with the Sustainable Development Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation for all. UNICEF has been supporting the state’s efforts through technical and funding assistance.
Toilets provide a private and safe space, especially for women and girls, reducing risks of violence and restoring dignity.
Unfortunately, about 3.5 billion people worldwide still live without safely managed sanitation, including 419 million who practice open defecation. In Oyo State, more than 53% of the population still practices open defecation.
UNICEF’s WASH specialist, Monday Johnson, urged everyone in the LGA to become advocates for ending open defecation.
He also called for a bylaw to be enacted to ensure that anyone defecating in the open is sanctioned.
The Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Abdulmojeed Mogbonjubola, emphasized the need for a positive attitude towards ending open defecation.
He encouraged marketers, schools, households, and other stakeholders to promote sanitation practices and utilize clean and safe toilets.
This year’s World Toilet Day theme, “Toilet: A Place for Peace,” resonates deeply with the mission to promote sanitation and hygiene in Oyo State.
The state government and UNICEF will continue to work together to ensure that every person has access to a toilet they can use with dignity and safety.
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