HYGIENE IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS: LAGOS COMMISSIONS WATER FACILITY IN PRIMARY SCHOOL

The Lagos State Office of Sustainable Development Goals and Investment has commissioned a Borehole water facility at Kosy Bethel Primary School, Odi-Olowo Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Lagos.

The facility, which was an intervention project to commemorate this year’s SDGs Week, was sponsored by one of the leading Insurance companies in the country, Post Assurance Brokers.

The Chairman House Committee on Sustainable Development Goals & Investment, Mr. Sylvester Ogunkelu, who commissioned the facility, explained that the project symbolises how governments, communities, individuals and other stakeholders can synergise to accelerate progress towards the attainment of sustainable development goals.

Ogunkelu noted that in preparing the children for a secured future, clean water is a primary and essential resource that must be available in schools, promising that the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu would scale up interventions to support the hygienic behaviour in every school across the State. His words:

“During the COVID-19 pandemic, hygiene received unprecedented attention and became a central pillar in its prevention strategies. We noted that both access to the facilities to practice hygiene and support for the behaviours required were missing in many settings. Hence, this facility marks our genuine intention to make a meaningful impact”.

In his remarks, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Sustainable Development Goals, Mr. Lekan Fatodu, expressed the government’s commitment to scale up interventions in key areas of development, adding that the administration is increasing focus on building human resilience.

He submitted that the facility is aimed at promoting Goals III and VI of the global agenda, which focuses on good health and wellbeing as well as clean water and sanitation. “To guarantee quality education, which is another important goal in SDGs, appropriate WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) services that will promote basic hygiene practices among students is essential”, he emphasised.

While applauding Post Assurance Brokers for sponsoring the facility, the Special Adviser pointed out that the Office is consistently turning challenges into opportunities and making a meaningful impact in the life of Lagosians.

Fatodu stated that the Office works in close collaboration with Corporate Institutions, Non-Governmental Organisations and other development-oriented community focus groups to improve systems and practices that fulfil a child’s right to basic education.

Commissioning the project, the Chairman, Odi-Olowo LCDA, Mr. Rasaq Ajala, noted that water remains an indispensable resource to humanity and must be equitably accessible to every member of the society, particularly the young ones, who are constantly in need of it.

The Chairman implored the school community to take ownership of the facility and ensure its proper usage, adding that the facility has elicited concrete action in achieving a safe, sustainable and water-secure world for the children.

The Executive Director, Business Development & Marketing, Post Assurance Brokers, Mrs. Hannatu Thyra, said critical services that water provides makes humans and the environment survive the shock of the ecosystem.

She said the company worked to construct water and sanitation facilities that outlast the COVID-19 emergency, while providing clear leadership and accountability in humanitarian response.

Thyra revealed that it is expected that government and the business community take ambitious, comprehensive and urgent action to limit the impact of water scarcity and ensure a safe and healthy future for the world’s children.

The event was also attended by other government functionaries including the General Manager, Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Mr. Ibrahim Odumboni; the Management and Staff of the School, Pupils and the Director of Procurement, Office of SDG&I, Mr. Moruf Okunowo, among others.