Korede Abdullah in Lagos
In a renewed effort to boost personal hygiene and improve nutrition among its citizens, the Delta State Committee on Food and Nutrition, in collaboration with the State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA), has launched an extensive sensitisation campaign across 20 communities and schools in Ethiope East, Burutu, and Ukwuani Local Government Areas.
The initiative, which kicked off at Ebise Primary School in Oria-Abraka and T.E.A. Salubi Primary School in Ovu-Ovioriie on Wednesday, is part of the government’s broader strategy to entrench a culture of hygiene, particularly among children, to promote better nutritional outcomes.
Leading the exercise, Director of Sanitation at RUWASSA, Engineer
Sunday Egbukile urged teachers, pupils, and community representatives to adopt essential hygiene practices.
He emphasized the importance of building toilets with drop hole covers to prevent the spread of diseases by flies, the use of ashes to reduce odours, and the dangers of washing hands in communal bowls.
“Proper handwashing reduces more than 60% of illnesses,” Egbukile stated, while also demonstrating how to construct simple handwashing devices using basic household items like plastic containers and tap heads.
“This equipment should be placed close to the toilet mainly to enable easy access after using the toilet,” he added.
Victor Onukwu, speaking on behalf of the State Committee on Food and Nutrition, said the campaign is a deliberate step toward promoting clean living standards.
“This sensitisation exercise demonstrates our commitment to community-centred sanitation and personal hygiene,” he noted. Onukwu highlighted the link between hygiene and nutrition, stressing that contaminated water, food mishandling, open defecation, and poor waste management contribute significantly to malnutrition.
“As part of the pursuit of proper nutrition for our people, the handling of food must be done in a clean and hygienic manner to preserve the health of the people,” he said.
