The Federal Ministry of Environment has partnered the Nasarawa State Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources toward ensuring cleaner environments and ending open defecation in the
By Sunday John
The Federal Ministry of Environment has partnered the Nasarawa State Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources toward ensuring cleaner environments and ending open defecation in the state.
Balarabe Lawal, Minister of Environment, stated this on Thursday in Lafia during community-based sensitisation in Lafia Modern Market and Ungwar Wajen Lelle community, Lafia.
The minister represented by Mrs Omotinde Adiola, Director Two, Pollution Control and Environmental Health in the ministry, emphasised the importance of maintaining a clean environment.
He highlighted that the sensitisation programme was part of the commemoration of the 2025 National Environmental Sanitation Day.
The minister warned that a dirty environment poses significant health risks, exposing people to various diseases.
Lawal said that the joint effort between them was aimed at educating residents on the importance of proper waste disposal and environmental hygiene.
“This initiative underscores the government’s commitment to improving environmental health and promoting a cleaner, healthier environment for the people of Nasarawa State.
“We are carrying out this sensitisation across the country every June, but Gov. Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State requested that we come to his state this year,” he added.
The minister also called on the citizens to ensure that they provide toilets in their houses and always keep them clean to guard against the outbreak of diseases.
“Nigeria has been identified as one of the hotspots for open defecation, and we are also working with the Federal Ministry of Water Resources to ensure that it is tackled.
“Defecate in the toilet, keep it clean and wash your hands with soap under running water when you use the toilet,” Lawal added.
On his part, Mr Ebisike Augustine, Chairman, Inter-Ministerial Committee, National Environmental Sanitation Day, said the exercise was aimed at reawakening the sanitation consciousness among all Nigerians.
The Inter-Ministerial committee chairman called on the public to always keep their environments, toilets, food, and themselves clean to avoid diseases.
“If everybody observed a high level of personal and environmental hygiene, it would drastically minimise the contraction and spread of diseases.
“There are outbreaks of Malaria, Cholera and other diseases often because of the failure of sanitation,” Augustine added.
On her part, Margret Elayo, Nasarawa State Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, said that the partnership was to strengthen what the state was already doing toward ensuring cleanliness.
The Commissioner, represented by Hussiani Baba-Yayi, Permanent Secretary of the ministry, said that the Gov. Abdullahi Sule-led administration placed significance on environmental sanitation.
She added that the government had put machinery on the ground to ensure that every household provided toilet facilities, and they are collaborating with the private sector to provide public toilets in the state.
Elayo further promised to strengthen the enforcement teams for the monthly sanitation exercise to ensure cleaner environments for the general well-being of the citizens.
The Commissioner also directed members of the public to dispose their refuse at the designated areas for onward evacuation by the ministry to the dumping sites.
Speaking on behalf of the communities, Alhaji Baba Saidu, District Head of Ungwar Wajen Lelle appreciated the Federal and State Governments for the sensitisation.
He promised to sensitise the people of his area and ensure compliance.
The District Head, however, appealed that the government should construct a drainage system in the area to control erosion. (NAN). (www.nannews.ng).