Oyo, Etisalat inaugurate community sanitation support programme

As part of efforts to promote community health and environmental preservation and in furtherance of their commitment to community development, Etisalat in conjunction with HEDA Resource Centre and the Oyo State government, has launched its Community Sanitation Support Programme (CSSP) in Ibadan.

Etisalat is one of Nigeria’s most innovative and customer-friendly telecommunication companies. Ten youth volunteers were also trained as ‘Waste Management Champions’ during the launch, which took place at Ehin-Grammar community in Molete, Ibadan. Etisalat also donated sanitation tools and materials to the community in addition to smartphones and airtime to enhance seamless communication between the volunteers and their supervisors as well as residents in the area.

Head, Public Policy and Government Affairs, Etisalat Nigeria, Mohammed Suleh-Yusuf said the CSSP initiative further demonstrates the company’s commitment to building sustainable societies by implementing initiatives that foster development across all strata in line with the key objectives of the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (UN – SDGs).

Suleh Yusuf said: “At Etisalat, we are passionate about promoting clean communities everywhere we operate. This is why we are innovating with waste management champions who will coordinate the waste disposal efforts of the whole community. We will monitor them for about two years and thereafter the community will take over. We are partnering with the Oyo State government waste disposal authorities to ensure this collaboration runs effectively.” A community leader, Gbolagade Ajala, commended Etisalat for choosing the community as the beneficiary of the project, and said the large turnout of residents at the event underscored the relevance of the CSSP initiative to the people.

Executive Director, Human and Environmental Developmental Agenda, Sulamian Arigbabu, encouraged residents to maintain clean homes and surroundings at all times, and to embrace tree planting and waste recycling among other healthy practices. “Ill-health and poverty are mostly rooted in poor sanitation. It is in light of this that we are going from community to community to empower people by teaching them the importance of maintaining clean and healthy environments,” he said.

Among the dignitaries that attended the event was a member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Saheed Fijabi, who was represented by Jamiu Lawal.