Hand hygiene is important, according to FG and Dettol.

Ibekimi Oriamaja Reports

To commemorate this year’s Global Hand Washing Day, the Federal Government of Nigeria and Dettol Nigeria emphasized the importance of hand hygiene as a tool for reducing hygiene-related diseases.

The Minister of Water Resources, Engr. Sulaimon Hussein Adamu, said during an event to demonstrate Dettol’s commitment to advancing the cause of hand hygiene with the theme: “Unite for Universal Hand Hygiene,” “Through this celebration, we are further raising awareness on the importance of handwashing with soap as a fundamental action of hygiene for our well-being — in line with the objectives of the UN General Assembly.”

Mrs. Elizabeth Ugoh, a Director in the Ministry, explained that while hygiene is a critical component of an integrated approach to Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) service delivery, an estimated 2.3 billion people worldwide and 171 million Nigerians lack access to hygiene services.

“In Nigeria, only 13% of the rural population has access, compared to 25% of the urban population, and the wealthiest households are roughly four times more likely to have basic handwashing services than the poorest households.”

“The theme is thus a call to action to build on previous years’ progress by working together to ensure hand hygiene access and practice for everyone, everywhere.”

“The government has increased the priority of hygiene programming and the deployment of necessary resources.” I would also like to thank our partners for their financial and technical assistance in promoting sanitation and hygiene through programs and activities aimed at achieving SDG Goal 6 for water and sanitation.”

Mr Tanzim Rezwan, Marketing Director, Reckitt Sub-Saharan Africa, explained that the annual Global Handwashing Day was created to raise public awareness of the importance of hand hygiene around the world.

“With Dettol, we have made this vision more than a one-day activity, and we are committed to seeing Nigerians instill a handwashing lifestyle, as reports have stated that diarrhoea prevention based on safe water, improved hygiene, and sanitation is not only possible, but also cost-effective.”

“With initiatives like the Dettol Clean Naija Initiative, the introduction of the Hygiene Quest Curriculum, and our recent partnership with Wellbeing Foundation Africa, we are well on our way to achieving our vision of impacting six million children with healthy hygiene and handwashing habits by 2025.”

Reckitt Nigeria, through the brand, has become a hub of inspirational public health campaigns aimed at revolutionizing the hygiene habits of Nigerians of all ages and genders over the last eight years. The brand has also begun to build new hygiene habits in children of all ages and educational levels through the School Hygiene Quest Programme and New Mum’s Programme.