47.5m Nigerians Engage In Open Defecation, FG Laments

The Federal Government, yesterday, revealed that about 47 million Nigerian population still engage in open defecation.
The Minister of Water Resources, Engr Suleiman Adamu, gave the startling revelation in Ado-Ekiti, yesterday, during the launching of the Ekiti State Open Defecation Free (ODF) roadmap and flag-off of clean Nigeria: use the toilet Ekiti campaign, in Ado Ekiti.
Adamu said the Federal Government won’t allow the unhealthy habit to constitute a global embarrassment to the nation.
This is just as the Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, ordered immediate enforcement of operation one house-one-toilet in the state, for sustainable hygiene and improved health status of Ekiti residents.
Fayemi, who said Ekiti had keyed into the Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) programme of President Muhammadu led Federal Government, said the government would expend a total of N9.6billion on the programme, which will be done in partnership with corporate bodies, traditional institutions, and other critical stakeholders.
At the campaign tagged: “Making Ekiti State ODF By 2022”, the wife of the Governor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, was decorated as WASH Ambassador, while the traditional rulers are to be champions of the policy in their domains.
The minister applauded Fayemi for setting a target that is three years behind the national schedule for ODF, describing this as a clear demonstration of commitment to make the country regain its respect globally.
“Available statistics revealed that over 47.5million Nigerians engage in this unhygienic act.