At the flag-off, which took place at the Emir of Gwandu Palace Birnin Kebbi, the DG, who was represented by the State Coordinator, Alhaji Mustaph Mohammed, said that the 2021 NYSC National Environmental Sanitation Exercise has been recognised globally as one of the key requirements for prevention of disease and their escalation to epidemic proportion.
“Efforts must be stepped up to enlighten the general public, especially the rural dwellers, on the prevention of contamination of food, water, and the entire environment,” he added.
The DG further points out that the theme of the programme is, “Clean Environment/ Good Hygiene: Panacea for Good Health and Long life.”
He added that to achieve the objectives every member of the community has to be mobilized for participation in the exercises which will feature sensitization, disease surveillance, and report of outbreaks. “you see the call to action will promote cooperation and reduce indifference and igornanc ” he said.
“a good example is seen in the robust response to the Covid”19 pandemics, with awareness creation, vigilance, and community policing becoming everyone’s business. We can no longer afford to be indifferent to anything that will be detrimental to public health and safety” he added.
The DG said that the sensitization will focus on Regular environmental sanitation on a fortnight basis, Clean food and water intake, proper disposal of human and animals waste, protection of food and water from contamination, good grooming on regular basis, community policing to enforce a clean environment and proper waste disposal as well as regular hand wash and need to avoid the frequent touch of the eyes, nose and mouth to minimize the spread of viruses, bacteria, germs, and other infections. He, therefore, said that the public will be educated on the decontamination of foods due to exposure, disinfection of the environment-living rooms, toilet public spaces also handling of toxic materials and susceptibility and risky habits, and how best to handle bush burning, pollution, and waste disposal, tree planting to support health ecosystem.
He assured Nigerians that they will not rest on the oars as they will continue to offer health and other services, including environmental protection, “am particularly hopeful about the prospect of this exercise because, with regular sanitation, malaria and other related disease will be reduced to the barest minimum.
He then commended the efforts of the Kebbi State Government, Traditional Rulers, NYSC Staffs, and relevant stakeholders for supporting the programme and ensure that progress had been made.
