Hussaini Kafi in Kano
Jigawa state governor, Malam Umar Namadi has reaffirmed his administration’s unwavering commitment to sustaining the Open Defecation-Free (ODF) status recently achieved by Jigawa State.
The governor made this declaration on Friday when the National Task Group on Sanitation (NTGS) monitoring team paid him a courtesy visit at the Government House, Dutse.
While receiving the team, Governor Namadi described the visit as not only significant but timely, noting that achieving ODF status was no small feat—and maintaining it would require even greater effort, innovation, and resource allocation.
“The open defecation-free (ODF) status we have attained was not an effortless feat. Attaining it is difficult, but sustaining it is even more challenging. I want to assure you that the Jigawa State Government has put in place comprehensive strategies, backed by strong commitment and resources, to ensure the sustainability of our ODF status,” he said.
He disclosed that the state has set up a high-level Steering Committee and a Technical Committee, comprising key permanent secretaries and professionals, to oversee and monitor the sanitation and hygiene programme—demonstrating the administration’s seriousness in upholding public health standards.
Highlighting concrete interventions, the governor announced the construction of toilets in public schools and markets across the state. He also revealed a public-private partnership (PPP) arrangement for the maintenance of market toilets, where private managers receive subsidies to ensure cleanliness and functionality.
“This approach ensures accountability and preserves the investment in sanitation infrastructure,” he added. “When it is managed by the private sector, they see it as a means of livelihood. They will maintain it better than if it is run by the government alone.”
Speaking on broader sanitation and environmental sustainability efforts, Governor Namadi said that more than 5 million trees were planted in the previous year, with the same target set for the current year. He noted that every official outing by the governor now includes a component promoting environmental protection.
On flood control, Namadi emphasized that it remains a top priority. Task forces at both state and local government levels are working proactively on flood mitigation measures.
“The Ministry of Environment and a dedicated Flood Mitigation Task Force are working hard to prevent flooding,” he explained. “We have both state and local task forces — the state team includes external experts in water management who continuously advise the government. Local task forces implement these recommendations by creating barricades and physical interventions to divert floodwaters away from communities.”
He reiterated that Jigawa State would continue to serve as a model for progress in sanitation, health, and environmental resilience, with lessons other states can adopt.
Governor Namadi also expressed appreciation to the NTGS team for their diligence and fieldwork, encouraging continued engagement with local communities to amplify the impact of their work.
Earlier, the NTGS Team Leader, Benson Attah, commended Jigawa State for attaining ODF status, calling it a landmark achievement and a model for other states. He urged the state to sustain the momentum through consistent policy implementation, community participation, and investment in infrastructure.
“I would like to commend Your Excellency for your commitment and the political will you have shown toward the improvement of water, sanitation, and hygiene in the state,” he said. “Otherwise, there wouldn’t have been any need to dispatch members of the National Task Group on Sanitation to conduct a monitoring visit to assess the sustainability of the ODF status in your state.”
Mr. Attah pledged continued technical support from development partners to help the state consolidate its progress.
