A toilet plays a small but mighty role. Toilets are a foundation stone and play critical role in protecting the environment, public health and human dignity. World Toilet Day, observed annually by the United Nations, draws global attention to the urgency for improved sanitation. This year, symbolized by the resilient hummingbird, the day underscores the call for accelerated change.
In an ancient tale, the hummingbird courageously battles a raging fire, carrying droplets of water in her beak. This metaphor emphasizes the collective impact of small yet meaningful contributions, encouraging individuals to be like hummingbirds in tackling the sanitation crisis.
Recent studies show that 3.5 billion people globally lack access to safely managed toilets, with 419 million practicing ‘open defecation,’ leading to diseases and claiming over 1,000 women, girls, and children’s lives daily.
In 2018, the Federal Government of Nigeria declared a state of emergency in the WASH sector to end open defecation by 2025, leading to the Clean Nigeria Campaign aimed at getting 45 million Nigerians to build and use improved latrines with effective hand-washing practices.
Imo is among the seven states benefiting from the Sustainable Urban and Rural Water Supply, Sanitation, and Hygiene (SURWASH) intervention program of the World Bank. With the support of Governor Hope Uzodimma, Imo State Water and Sewerage Corporation (ISWSC) is playing a pivotal role in SURWASH activities. Beyond conventional WASH services, the Corporation actively advocates wholesome sanitation and hygiene practices. Recognizing the transformative impact of promoting proper toilet use, the Corporation encourages all citizens to speed up progress by ending open defecation and urination, fixing toilet leakages, and adopting responsible waste disposal habits. Aligning with World Toilet Day’s mission, ISWSC also ensures contributions towards transforming people’s attitudes so that they will construct their water boreholes at least 18 meters away from their septic tanks for the health of the underground water sources.
Individuals, communities, and organizations should strive for safely managed toilets and water. Let’s acknowledge that every drop of our efforts in the use of toilets and proper sanitation habits counts toward accelerating positive change in Imo state.
(This commentary was written by ISWSC Communications Desk Officer, Christopher Ononukwe, and ISWSC ambassador, Nze Awumonye Nwaneri)
2023 World Toilet Day: Accelerating Change in Imo State
By Christopher Ononukwe and Nze Awumonye Nwaneri
A toilet plays a small but mighty role. Toilets are a foundation stone and play critical role in protecting the environment, public health and human dignity. World Toilet Day, observed annually by the United Nations, draws global attention to the urgency for improved sanitation. This year, symbolized by the resilient hummingbird, the day underscores the call for accelerated change.
In an ancient tale, the hummingbird courageously battles a raging fire, carrying droplets of water in her beak. This metaphor emphasizes the collective impact of small yet meaningful contributions, encouraging individuals to be like hummingbirds in tackling the sanitation crisis.
Recent studies show that 3.5 billion people globally lack access to safely managed toilets, with 419 million practicing ‘open defecation,’ leading to diseases and claiming over 1,000 women, girls, and children’s lives daily.
In 2018, the Federal Government of Nigeria declared a state of emergency in the WASH sector to end open defecation by 2025, leading to the Clean Nigeria Campaign aimed at getting 45 million Nigerians to build and use improved latrines with effective hand-washing practices.
Imo is among the seven states benefiting from the Sustainable Urban and Rural Water Supply, Sanitation, and Hygiene (SURWASH) intervention program of the World Bank. With the support of Governor Hope Uzodimma, Imo State Water and Sewerage Corporation (ISWSC) is playing a pivotal role in SURWASH activities. Beyond conventional WASH services, the Corporation actively advocates wholesome sanitation and hygiene practices. Recognizing the transformative impact of promoting proper toilet use, the Corporation encourages all citizens to speed up progress by ending open defecation and urination, fixing toilet leakages, and adopting responsible waste disposal habits. Aligning with World Toilet Day’s mission, ISWSC also ensures contributions towards transforming people’s attitudes so that they will construct their water boreholes at least 18 meters away from their septic tanks for the health of the underground water sources.
Individuals, communities, and organizations should strive for safely managed toilets and water. Let’s acknowledge that every drop of our efforts in the use of toilets and proper sanitation habits counts toward accelerating positive change in Imo state.
(This commentary was written by ISWSC Communications Desk Officer, Christopher Ononukwe, and ISWSC ambassador, Nze Awumonye Nwaneri)