The National Orientation Agency (NOA) urges Nigerians, especially those in rural areas, to stop open defecation so as to avoid outbreak of diseases in communities.
The Kaduna State Director of NOA, Galadima Zubair-Soba, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kaduna on Friday.
He said that the agency had already begun a public enlightenment and sensitisation campaign on Open Defecation Free Nigeria (ODF) in the 23 local government areas of the state.
“NOA and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) officials are sensitising communities on the need for personal hygiene, environmental cleanliness and dangers of open defecation to our health.
“The team also appealed to leaders to encourage people in the communities to build toilet facilities in their homes and inculcate the habit of washing hands with soap and water,’’ he told NAN.
According to the director, the community leaders visited advised NOA to create a Women Forum in every community and sensitise women on hygiene and the need for an open defecation free community.
He said there was need for stakeholders to collaborate with governments to achieve an ODF free community.
The NOA director assured that the agency will continue sensitising the public on the ills of open defecation and the need for a clean environment so as to achieve an open defecation free Nigeria.
