NYSC commends Bauchi gov’t, others on environmental sanitation
Story from Beatrice EARLAND, Bauchi
The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has commended the Bauchi State government, traditional rulers and other stakeholders for their collaboration with the scheme in ensuring effective environmental sanitation in the state.
The Director General of NYSC, Maj.-Gen Shuaibu Ibrahim, stated this on Saturday during the flag-off of the NYSC National Environmental Sanitation Exercise in the state.
The DG who was represented by the Bauchi state Coordinator, Alhaji Namadi Abubakar, explained that the theme of the environmental sanitation is ‘Clean Environment/Good Hygiene: Panacea for Good Health and Long Life’, said that the exercise was taking place in all the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
“I thank the state government, traditional rulers, community leaders and other stakeholders for identifying with us in this noble cause.
“As you are already aware, environmental sanitation has been recognized globally as one of the key requirements for prevention of diseases and their escalation to epidemic proportions.
“On this premise, efforts must be stepped up to enlighten the general public, especially the rural dwellers, on the health risks of poor hygiene with particular focus on the prevention of contamination of food, water and the entire environment.
“To achieve this, every member of the community will be mobilised for participation in the exercise, which will feature sensitization, disease surveillance and report of outbreaks.
“Indeed, the call to action will promote cooperation and reduce indifference and ignorance,” he said.
According to him, as environmental protection and sanitation had become inseparable for a stable, healthy and sustainable ecosystem, the scheme would educate the public on decontamination of foods.
Ibrahim added that the public would also be enlightened on disinfection of the environment such as the living rooms, toilets, public spaces, handling of toxic materials and tree planting to support a healthy ecosystem, among others.
In his remarks, Mr Ibrahim Kabir, the Director General, Bauchi State Environmental Protection Agency (BASEPA), lauded the NYSC for organising the environmental sanitation exercise and promised that the agency would continue to support and partner NYSC whenever the need arises.
