UNICEF Appoints Governor Namadi as Ambassador for Open Defecation Free in Nigeria
Governor Malam Umar Namadi of Jigawa State has been appointed as an ambassador for Open Defecation Free (ODF) in Nigeria by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). The announcement was made by the Jigawa Commissioner for Water Resources, Alhaji Ibrahim Garba, during an exclusive interview in Dutse, the state capital.
The appointment is a recognition of Jigawa’s outstanding efforts in achieving the Open Defecation Free status, making it the first and only state in Nigeria to receive this designation from UNICEF. The achievement was the result of a comprehensive approach, involving various projects and policies implemented in collaboration with UNICEF and the Federal Ministry of Water Resources.
The state invested over N500 million in the construction of toilets in schools, hospitals, and public places, including markets and motor parks, while also conducting extensive public awareness campaigns on the importance of proper sanitation, especially in rural areas. This recognition highlights the significant progress Jigawa State has made in improving sanitation and hygiene.