By Josephine Oguntoyinbo
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Ondo State Commissioner for Water Resources, Public Sanitation and Hygiene, Fatai Olotu has charged residents of the State to stop open defecation and imbibe the culture of cleanliness by keeping their environment clean.
The Commissioner stated this at Ayede Ogbese in Akure North Local Government Area during free sensitization and advocacy campaign on Open Defecation Free to the people and the benefits of hygienic living.
He said as countries across the world battle to eradicate open defecation, Nigeria and indeed Ondo State must imbibe the culture of keeping the environment safe by shunning unwholesome attitude capable of polluting or defacing their surroundings.
Represented by the Director of Public Sanitation and Hygiene in the Ministry, Mrs Funmilola Akintade, the Commissioner said the advocacy and sensitization meeting became imperative to intimate the people of the area on ways to create an Open Defecation Free environment by caging their pets, cleaning their environment among others.
He charged residents of the community to prioritize and observe all Open Defecation Free protocols so as to live a healthy, hygienic life, and also ensure that each household has at least, a sanitary convenience.
While affirming that apart from bringing a negative social stigma to Nigeria, the Commissioner added that Open Defecation also poses obvious environmental, health and economic hazards.
Speaking through an interpreter with the Hausa community, the Commissioner solicited their support in achieving the goals of Open Defecation Free initiative by restricting the movements of their animals and keeping the environment healthy.The Iyaloja of the community, Chief Mrs Margaret Falaiye appreciated the Ministry for coming to Ayede-Ogbese to sensitize them on the benefits of Open Defecation Free environment, pledging her total support towards achieving its set goals.
