Muhammad Alabira Nabordo
The media has been urged to play a pivotal role in driving change through relentless advocacy on Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) services in Kano and Jigawa states.
Mr. Rahama Rihood Mohammed Farah, Chief of UNICEF Field Office Kano, made this appeal at a media dialogue on WASH services in Primary Health Care (PHC) and schools in Kano and Jigawa states.
The Media dialogue which was held recently at Tahir Quest Palace Kano brought the stakeholders together where the problem of WASH services was discussed.
“According to the Nigeria 2021 WASHNORM II survey, only 11% of schools nationwide have access to basic water supply, basic sanitation, and hygiene services, with Jigawa scoring below national averages in school hygiene infrastructure, he added.
Farah said the situation is dire, with poor WASH contributing to high child morbidity and undermining SDG targets for education and universal WASH.
According to him that UNICEF is supporting the government to improve WASH services in schools and health facilities, with the UK Government investing £19 million in the Climate Resilient for Basic Infrastructure (CRIBS) Programme.
He said the initiative has led to the inauguration of 84 climate-resilient health and education facilities in Kano and Jigawa.
Mr. Farah has further emphasized the importance of media advocacy in holding governments accountable for SDG commitments, spotlighting WASH gaps, and mobilizing communities to demand action.
He therefore urged the media to work tirelessly to expose neglect and advocate for building WASH facilities in every school and clinic, stating that Nigeria’s children deserve no less.
