A Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Well Being Foundation Africa (WBFA) and it’s socio-impact partner, Dettol, has carried out a Hygiene Quest programme in 300 schools, reaching 88,280 students in Kwara in two years.
WBFA Director of Programming and Reporting, Dr Osinachi Onyeoziri, made the disclosure on Wednesday at the Close Out of the Dettol Hygiene Quest Phase 2 programme in Ilorin.
Onyeoziri, represented by the Chief Programmes Manager, Mr Kehinde Akinsola, said the programme held in 10 Local Government Areas was to equip students with critical hygiene knowledge and practices.
She said 121 communities, 33,854 mothers and 13,466 community members were also reached during the period under review.
”The close-out stage is not just the completion but a successful achievement in the efforts towards improving hygiene practices in homes and schools and promoting healthier communities across Nigeria.
”We now have more children who will live healthier and more communities that are more resilient to preventable diseases.
”Today marks not the closure of the journey but the beginning of the next chapter towards securing the future of our children and the health of our community.
”The behaviours nurtured must be sustained and the champions created must continue to drive the change.
”The teachers and ambassadors must continue to teach and lead the movement and the communities must continue to be accountable for their health,” Onyeoziri said.
Also, the state Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, Dr Lawal Olohungbebe, commended WBFA for its unwavering commitment to promoting health education, hygiene awareness, and community wellbeing.
Olohungbebe, represented by Mrs Eunice Abidoye, said the initiative has significantly contributed to improving hygiene practices, reducing preventable diseases, and enhancing school attendance among pupils and students across Kwara.
”We also recognize and appreciate the efforts of Reckitt (Dettol) for their continued investment in public health programs that empower our communities with life-saving hygiene knowledge and practices.
”Indeed, the achievement of over 400,000 individuals reached and inspired stands as a testament to the success of this impactful partnership,” he said.
The commissioner reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to sustaining and expanding such initiatives through continuous colaboration, community engagement,and health education in our schools.
Similarly, the Chairman, State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Prof. Raheem Adaramaja, commended the foundation for inculcating healthy lifestyles in the students at a young age.
Adaramaja, represented by Mr Bimpe Idiagbon, Director, Quality Assurance, SUBEB, said the programme has reduced absenteeism in schools across the state.
One of the students, Rihannat Lamidi from NOWA Secondary School, Offa, said the programme led to reduction in the rate of sickness among the students, while the school environment now wore a new look.
Another student, Kehinde Adelowo from Omega College, Shao, said students from the school now practiced hand washing regularly in line with World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines.
The highlight of the closeout session was a spelling bee competition involving schools from the 10 local government areas in both the primary and the secondary session.
The competition’s two winners: Morolaoluwa Orojo from Ivy Hill Academy, Ilorin, and Lamidi from NOWA Secondary School, will represent Kwara in the finals on Nov.30 in Lagos
