Issues

Public Health: Importance Of Hand Washing

Published

9 years ago

October 21, 2015

With Cholera ravaging some communities in the country, concerned citizens insist that the need for all Nigerians to adopt the hygienic habit of hand washing with soap is now more imperative than ever.
This is because hand washing, as one of the most cost-effective public health interventions, has been globally accepted as a means of significantly reducing the burden of diseases such as diarrhoea by as much as 40 per cent.
According to the 2015 WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme’s Report on Sanitation and Drinking Water, one in three persons, or 2.4 billion people, lack access to basic water and sanitation facilities globally.
The report says that no fewer than 1,000 under-five children die each day from diarrhoea caused by inadequate water, sanitation and hygiene; compared to over 2,000 children 15 years ago.
It also notes that 50 per cent of child malnutrition cases are due to repeated diarrhoea and intestinal infections that are caused by poor sanitation and hygiene conditions or lack of safe water.
The report says that hand washing with soap is a critical determinant for achieving and maintaining good nutrition, while this healthy behaviour plays an important role in preventing micronutrient deficiencies, stunting, wasting and deaths.
Nevertheless, development experts believe that for Nigeria to meet the goal of reducing preventable deaths, particularly with regard to under-five children, pragmatic efforts must be made to ensure that everyone imbibes the culture of hand washing.
Chief of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), UNICEF Nigeria, Mr Kannar Nadar, calls on all stakeholders to take ownership of programmes aimed at scaling up people’s access to WASH so as to reduce the number of deaths from water-borne diseases in the country.
He maintains that development partners alone cannot drive the change, insisting that they can only act as catalysts for scaling up sanitation programmes.
He stresses that Nigeria cannot achieve much in efforts to scale up sanitation projects if it fails to put measures in place to encourage all the citizens to make sanitation a priority.
“Nigeria needs to take ownership of activities aimed at scaling up the citizens’ access to WASH.
“Donors have a little work to do; the bulk of the work is for countries to take ownership of their sanitation programmes,” Nadar says.
A Sanitation Officer with the Federal Ministry of Water Resources, Mrs Chizoma Opara, says that regular hand washing is the first line of defence against preventable diseases like diarrhoea and infections like the Ebola Virus Disease.
“If we want to protect our children from getting sick, the first thing to do is to educate them about washing their hands properly.
“Ingraining the habit of hand washing could save more lives than any single vaccine or medical intervention,” she adds.
Opara says that a systemic change towards the hand washing culture is, therefore, critical to meeting the newly adopted Sustainable Development Goal of achieving zero deaths in under-five children.
Sharing similar sentiments, a Public Health Consultant, Dr Nneze Eze, emphasised that hand washing with soap before eating and after using the toilet should be made an ingrained habit of the people.
He says that the adoption of the hand washing habit can save more lives than any vaccine or medical intervention, adding that it can also cut deaths from diarrhoea by almost half and deaths from acute respiratory infections by one-quarter.
Eze says that rationale behind creation of Global Hand-washing Day (October 15) is to help sensitise the people, particularly children, to the importance of hand washing with soap and water.
“It is also important that when this is done, it encourages children to practise hand washing at home, at school and in their communities, adding that this will also influence people around them to do the same,’’ he says.
The Country Director of Concern Universal, a non-governmental organisation, Mr Tim Kellow, urges all Nigerians to wash their hands with soap at critical times, saying that the practice will reduce diarrhoea-related deaths by 30 per cent.
According to him, imbibing the hand washing culture is a more cost-effective disease-prevention strategy than treating water sources or water point-of-use.
Kellow says that his group is implementing a sanitation and hygiene project in Nigeria, which aims at empowering no fewer than two million rural people to improve their sanitation practices in a sustainable manner.
He says that this will also go a long way to safeguard the dignity of every resident of such communities.
The country director says that three local government areas in Benue and Cross River states respectively are benefitting from the project, with the sole target of ending open defecation in the country.
Kellow reiterates that hygiene is the most important intervention that can promote human development, saying that this should be encouraged by everyone in its entirety.
He says that more people have been encouraged, via the Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) programme, to change their behavioural practices to promote sound hygiene.
Kellow says that some individuals, who are “natural leaders’’, often act as activists and enthusiasts that drive sanitation and hygiene improvements in the communities.
“They act as environmental and health officers in their communities; they go about telling people about the dangers of open defecation and others,” he says.
He, however, bemoans the fact that Nigeria is still lagging behind in efforts to achieve improved access to basic sanitation and hygiene.
He, therefore, underscores the need to stage more awareness campaigns to enable more Nigerians to be acquainted with the benefits of hygiene and sanitation, saying that this is very vital to efforts to reduce preventable deaths.
Also speaking, the Programme Manager of Concern Universal, Mr Nanpet Chuktu, underscored the role of parents in educating their children and wards about the importance of washing their hands before eating and after going to toilets.
He, nonetheless, highlights the need for private individuals and industrialists to take ownership of sanitation projects in their neighbourhoods.
He says that this will go a long way in reducing the spread of preventable diseases, while boosting healthy living and enhancing the people’s productivity.
Speaking on the theme for this year’s Global Hand-Washing Day, “Raise a Hand for Hygiene”, a water and hygiene specialist, Mrs Abigael Onaiko, said that the theme, which is aimed at eliciting people’s action, can be used for advocacy purposes.
She says that the act of raising a hand symbolises affiliation, adding that it can also be a means of identifying oneself as an advocate for good hygiene.
Onaiko says that this can facilitate the creation of strong social norms of good hygiene in schools, communities and regions.
“Besides, when people raise a hand, they can be counted. So, in terms of hand washing, this is a reminder that it is possible for governments to count the persons who wash their hands and have access to basic hygiene amenities in homes and schools, as well as health care facilities.
“Governments must measure hygiene indicators to know where resources should be concentrated.
“Global Hand-washing Day is a good opportunity to ask governments to fulfil this all-important role.
“We can also raise a hand to draw attention to the need for change; parents’ associations can raise a hand to ask for better hygiene policies in schools; while celebrities can raise a hand to ask politicians to fund hygiene programmes,” he says.
All in all, sanitation experts believe that improved sanitation, provision of adequate potable water, awareness of disease transmission patterns in communities are vital to efforts to reduce deaths from water-borne and infectious diseases in the country.
Kolade writes for News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

Issues

Investing In Nyesom Wike: A Story Of Dedication, Sacrifice And Ultimate Loss

Published

2 weeks ago

April 10, 2024

The Tide

In 2015, I made a conscious decision to invest my financial resources, my time, and energy into supporting Nyesom Wike’s gubernatorial campaign. I poured my heart and soul into ensuring Nyesom Wike emerged victorious even at the risk of my personal safety.
Again in 2019, I doubled down on my commitment. I invested a significant amount of money to procure campaign outfits for all twenty-three Local Governments Areas of Rivers State. I spared no expense in supplementing Wike’s election efforts in my own local government, and once again putting myself at great risk to safeguard the fairness and transparency of the electoral process.
However, despite my unwavering loyalty and sacrifices, I found myself abandoned and forgotten by Wike. Throughout his eight-year tenure, he failed to acknowledge my contributions or fulfill his promises and agreements. Even as a former Deputy Governor, Wike denied me my severance benefit.
My investment in Wike’s governorship was not just financial – it was a commitment of passion, dedication, and belief in a better future for Rivers State. Yet, his leadership style of dishonesty, greed, drunkenness and rash abuse of senior citizens brought me nothing but disappointment, misery and losses.
By the grace of God, today I speak not as a victim, but as a hero. I have accepted my losses, and I have moved on. And as I reflect on my experience, I cannot help but urge Wike to do the same and allow peace and development to reign in Rivers State.
Nyesom Wike, when you speak of investing in Governor Sim Fubara’s election, remember those like me who also invested in you. Remember the sacrifices I made, the risks I took, and the promises and agreements you left unfulfilled.
It is time for you, Wike, to let go of the past and allow Governor Sim Fubara the breathing space he needs to lead Rivers State forward. Allow him to focus on the challenges of good governance and the aspirations of the people. Spare him these unwarranted and ill-conceived political manoeuvrings founded on personal agenda and not for general good of Rivers State and her people.
I may have lost my investment on Wike, but I have not lost hope in the future of Rivers State. And together, we will continue to strive for a brighter tomorrow.
Long Live the Governor to Rivers State, Sir Siminialayi Fubara!
Long Live the Good People of Rivers State!!
Long Live the Federal Republic of Nigeria!!!
Engr Ikuru is former Deputy Governor of Rivers State.

Tele Ikuru

Issues

Is Okocha A Happy Man Being Perpetual Hireling?

Published

1 month ago

March 15, 2024

The Tide

The man Tony Okocha, the devastated tattered ragtag remnant Rivers APC factional, but Caretaker, Chairman, is known for being notoriously a hireling willing to play in the mud just for the pay or settlement. To Rt Hon Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, he did against Chief Nyesom Wike. To Senator Magnus Abe, he did against Rotimi Amaechi. To Chief Nyesom Wike, he did against Magnus Abe. Having maintained such unbefitting character trait, it is not surprising to see him at his demeaned best showing off his tainted skill of grandstanding and loquaciously struggling fruitlessly almost every day to castigate the popular Rivers people’s Governor with very glaring false, bogus and unsubstantiated claims such as:
1. That Governor Fubara is wasting state fund in the name of thanksgiving across 23 Local Government Areas.
2. That Governor Fubara has withheld Local Government funds.
3. That Governor Fubara runs the government without input from the State Executive Council.
4. That nothing is happening in the State with respect to governance.
To the above false claims of Tony Okocha, every reasonable, right thinking and well-meaning Rivers person would effortlessly puncture all as rascality and mendacity taken too far.
Apart from the fact that Governor Siminalayi Fubara had said he is not sponsoring the massive SIMplified Movement Thanksgiving events across the Local Government Areas of the State being organised by elated Rivers people who feel liberated from an era of overbearing and suppressive form of leadership in the State, Tony Okocha should be asked to prove his false claim with indisputable facts and figures. Until then, let Tony Okocha respect himself and learn to keep quiet as an elderly person who is saddled with such a responsible position as Rivers State Representative in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Board. A position that places a huge responsibility on him to ensure that the core objectives of the commission are actualised in the State, by not only ensuring that Rivers State gets its fair share of its dues in terms of projects, programmes and activities, but by synergising with the state government on development matters concerning the state vis-a-vis the responsibilities of NDDC to the State. In summary, the SIMplified Movement is all about a happy and joyful people of Rivers State who have decided to stand and stick together to defend and uphold their common heritage and patrimony. It is a voluntary venture, not sponsored by the government.
To his claim that the Governor has withheld Local Government funds, Mr Tony Okocha should also be asked to prove that with facts and figures and explain why the Governor would do such. More so, what is Tony Okocha’s business, assuming, but not conceding, that a PDP Governor withholds money against PDP-led 23 Local Government authorities? Did Local Government workers across the state complain to Okocha, the meddlesome hireling, an acclaimed APC Caretaker Committee Chairman in Rivers State?
On his ignorant and false claim that the Governor runs the government without input from the state exco, Okocha, the busybody wannabe should explain how he was employed or engaged as the spokesperson of members of the Rivers State Executive Council. He should also tell us his source of information to that effect, if it is not just a proof that he is making himself known as a perpetually irredeemable hireling notoriously good for playing the spoiler’s role.
On Mr Okocha’s assertion, probably, borne out of lack of more convincing lies, that nothing is happening in the State with respect to governance, is sure a proof that the man is only acting a bad and an unsellable script to justify the reward of expected gratifying filthy lucre, which is the compelling reason for condescending so low and evilly so. How else is governance measured, if not by executing meaningful and impactful projects, giving hope, inspiring and putting smiles on the faces of the people with joy of fulfilment in their hearts, both civil servants and everyone living and doing business in the State? Is Okocha blind to see and deaf to hear of the good works of the Governor Fubara led Rivers State Government? Civil servants are happy, teachers are highly elated. Several projects are ongoing. Investors are trooping in. The health sector, education, agriculture, sports have been highly boosted under Governor Fubara-led administration. To Okocha, there’s no governance in the State because patronage of free money is not getting to him from the Governor but from other sources that are likely against the Governor.
Let Tony Okocha weep more. Rivers State is breathing fresh air already and is liberated.
Let Tony Okocha tell us how he has, so far, as Rivers State Representative in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), clearly effected development in the State through the NDDC, and why he lied that there was Cholera outbreak with deaths recorded in Soku in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area with the intent of raking in about ¦ N5billion for non-existent mitigation programmes?

Odike is Special Assistant to Rivers State Governor on Social/New Media .

Bernard C. Idike

Issues

Day Asari-Toru Declared Massive Support For Fubara

Published

2 months ago

March 11, 2024

The Tide

Franklin Delano Roosevelt, commonly known as FDR, was an American statesman and politician who served as the 32nd President of the United States from 1933 until his death in 1945. He was a member of the Democratic Party and is the only United States President to have served more than two terms.
In one of his popular quotes, he said, “The creed of our democracy is that liberty is acquired and kept by men and women who are strong and self-reliant, and possessed of such wisdom as God gives mankind – men and women who are just, and understanding, and generous to others — men and women who are capable of disciplining themselves. For they are the rulers and they must rule themselves.”
This explains the recent gathering of creme la creme of Asari-Toru political gladiators converged at the inauguration of the Simplified Movement, ASALGA chapter to reiterate their unflinching support for the Rivers State Governor, His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara whose mantra revolves around liberation.
The event which took place at the Autograph in Port Harcourt on the 1st of March, 2024, to galvanise strong support for Governor Fubara attracted over 500 members of the Simplified Movement from the Asari-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The gathering of supporters of Governor Fubara’s government, under the umbrella of the Simplified Movement, the ASALGA chapter led by an astute politician, former member of the Federal House of Representatives and two- time member of the Rivers State Executive Council as Commissioner, Chief Hon. Paworiso Samuel Horsfall comprised both the old and young generation political helmsmen drawn from all the 13 Wards of the local government area.
The nerve-““““““wracking gathering had the likes of the 1999 democratic system pioneer Chairman of Asari-Toru Local Government Council and former two-time Special Adviser to ex-Governor Nyesom Wike, Hon. Opakirite Mackson Jackreece; former member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Adokiye Young-Harry; former member of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Daisy West and former Special Adviser to ex-Governor Nyesom Wike, Chief Hon. Iboroma Norman Wokoma.
Others were the incumbent Vice Chairman of Asari-Toru Local Government Council, Hon. (Mrs.) Tekena Wokoma; former Commissioner of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, Hon. Dr. Hope Barango; the South-West Vice Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Sule Amachree and the Secretary of the Local Government chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Hon. Cladious Princewill; former Chief of Staff of Council, Hon. Ajumogobia West and former Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), ASALGA, Hon. Onari Awo Tariah.
Also present at the event were past caretaker committee chairmen of the Local Government Council including, Hon. Waite Harry, Hon. Dawari Hamilton Ibinabo, Hon. Wright Warmate and former Deputy Mayor of the Port Harcourt City Council, Hon. Adokiye Horsfall amongst others. My humble self belongs to the movement. The list is inexhaustible.
Speaking at the inauguration, the member representing Asari-Toru/Akuku-Toru Federal Constituency and leader of the Asari-Toru political family, Hon. Boma Goodhead assured the people of the commitment of the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara to extend visible dividends of democracy to the people of ASALGA.
The federal lawmaker who spoke through her representative, Dr. Sule Amachree, said Governor Fubara means well for Rivers people, particularly the people of ASALGA and urged them to remain calm, peaceful and resolute in their support to the administration of the State Governor.
“His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara is the Governor ordained by God to liberate Rivers people from the snares of poverty and oppression. He is God-sent to bring visible and even development to Rivers State and Asari-Toru people are on the top of that agenda of development,” she said.
Hon. Goodhead reiterated her confidence in the capacity of the leader of the Simplified Movement, ASALGA chapter, Chief Hon. Paworiso Samuel Horsfall to mobilise massive support and a huge source of encouragement for the Government of Sir Siminalayi Fubara to succeed.
“I urge you to continue to stand firm with our Governor. Be rest assured that His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara is a man of peace, focused and determined to deliver on the mandate given to him by the people of Rivers State. He will not fail you,” she said.
In his speech, the leader of the ASALGA chapter of the Simplified Movement, Chief Hon. Paworiso Samuel Horsfall described the movement as a child of necessity born out of the hunger of Rivers people for a paradigm shift from oppression to liberation.
“As witnessed across the length and breadth of Rivers State, the Simplified Movement is a child of necessity, born out of the hunger for a paradigm shift from oppression to liberation, with one core objective to promote and defend the interests of Rivers State and her people. It is on this account, we stand as dependable allies giving strong support to the Executive Governor, His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara in his pursuit of peace and commitment to the genuine development of Rivers State.
“It is our position that with the elections come and gone, it is practically a time to face governance and to ensure deliverables of dividends to the people of Rivers State in the atmosphere of peace, security and stability,” he said.
Chief Samuel Horsfall explained that Rivers people saw the leadership qualities needed to achieve the sole objective to genuinely defend and promote the interest of the State in Governor Fubara, hence the spontaneous massive support expressed in the birth of the Simplified Movement.
He recounted avalanche of achievements made by Governor Fubara within six months in office. “We appreciate the Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara for his resilience and determination to make a difference. It is on record and attestable by all, the numerous projects being executed by his administration.
“Such as the ongoing construction of the gigantic Port Harcourt Ring Road project, the 20,000 housing units for low income earners, the Ogoni-Andoni-Opobo-Nkoro Unity road, the near completion of the 10km Old Port Harcourt-Bori road, the Emohua-Kalabari road, the 6.5km Woji-Alesa-Refinery link road and the inclusion of the remaining part of the Trans-Kalabari road project in the 2024 budget. “Moreover, the promotion of the State civil servants, first time in history payment of N100,000.00 Christmas bonus to civil servants across board, approval of promotions and implementation of N30,000.00 minimum wage for local government workers and the N4 billion single digit interest loans facility for Small and Medium Scale business operators in Rivers State. All these achievements within six months in office are eloquent testimonies of Governor Fubara to deliberately improve the welfare of Rivers people.
“We are convinced that such a proven great mind and well experienced, tested and trusted administrator/technocrat, Governor Fubara has demonstrated the capacity to deliver effectively the needed democratic dividends to Rivers people. It is on this convention we are gathered here for the umpteenth time to reaffirm our unalloyed support and commitment to his administration,” Chief Samuel Horsfall declared.
He disclosed that the gathering was to put in place citizens mobilisation strategy to forge a collaborative bond with the Governor to foster partnership for the development of ASALGA and the State. He, therefore, advised those he called detractors of Governor Fubara’s administration to desist forthwith and allow the Governor to remain focused in his quest to deliver on his mandate.
“All detractors should desist from further attacks on the Governor and the Chief of Staff, Government House, Rt. Hon. Edison Ehie and allow the Governor to focus on the delivery of the good policies and programmes to Rivers people. We unequivocally condemn attempts by disgruntled Abuja politicians to employ intimidation antics against the former Speaker of the 10th State Assembly and current Chief of Staff, Government House, Rt. Hon. Edison Ehie and others who are standing on the path of justice and good conscience for the collective good of Rivers State.
“We equally urge the Nigerian Police and other security agencies to be discreet in the discharge of their constitutional responsibilities in the State and not to allow themselves to be used by selfish individuals who do not mean well to fuel political crisis in Rivers State.
Chief Samuel Horsfall also commended the federal lawmaker, Hon. Boma Goodhead for her doggedness and resilience in supporting Governor Fubara since the wake of the political crisis in the State.
Several other personalities spoke to express their support to the State Governor and urged the people to ASALGA to maintain their peaceful disposition and remain steadfast in the Simplified Movement to give the state government maximum support to continue to render good governance to Rivers people.
Highlights of the event were the inauguration of the elders and stakeholders of the Simplified Movement for the 13 Wards as well as the executive committee of the movement in Asari-Toru Local Government Area.