The wife of Osun state Governor, Mrs Kafayat Oyetola has today, Wednesday moved her campaign train against open defecation to Ijebu-Jesa, in Oriade Local Government of Osun State.
Speaking at the venue, Mrs Oyetola advised house owners to ensure they construct decent toilets while building houses to prevent open defecation across the state.
The first lady gave the admonition while addressing mammoth crowd at a campaign programme organized to sensitise residents on the hazards of open defecation at Ijebu-Ijesa.
She reiterated that house owners should make construction of decent toilets as their priority while building houses in their particular areas.
Delving further, The IOD Initiative President disclosed that many people do not have a decent toilet of their own, urging residents on the need to desist from defecating in the open place in order to safeguard their health and get rid of diseases.
According to her, “Lack of toilet encourages people to defecate anywhere; any house that does not have toilet is dangerous for everyone.
“One of the dangers of open defecation is the occurrence of water born diseases such as diarrhea, typhoid, and cholera. Findings reveal that diarrhea and other problems associated with open defecation affect children under the age 5 years the most. This is in addition to the possible problem of malnutrition in children.
Mrs Oyetola expressed optimism, while tasking the residents of the state to make it one of the reference States in terms of quality water , sanitation and hygiene delivery culture “.
She emphasized that open defecation is a major challenge which is borne out of an age-long practice of the people. “It is the practice of defecating in the open places such as fields, back of the houses, and every open place other than in toilets.”
According to her, sensitising people, landlords and landladies, and various schools on the importance of decent toilets, sanitation and hygiene would improve the lives of people across the state.
Speaking against this backdrop, she added that open defecation carries grave health consequences for all of us as it serves as a destroyer of our health and pollutant of our environment.
She urged relevant stakeholders to improve on effective sensitisation on the importance of building decent toilets at homes and the need to maintain them.
The governor’s wife lauded the support and dedication of Osun Governor, Gboyega Oyetola in ensuring that the state is free from the practice of open defecation just as she acknowledged the efforts of RUWESA and Timsed organisation toward achieving the success of the campaign.
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