By Millicent Ifeanyichukwu
A Non Governmental organisation, Initiative for Advancement of Ethical Standards (INADES), on Monday introduced ‘Wash for Students Initiative’ project to boost hygiene in schools.
The INADES Head of Operations, Mr Omotayo Agbaje, said at the pilot project in Lagos that the initiative was aimed at providing sanitation infrastructure and awareness among students.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the one-day programme held at St. Joseph’s Junior Secondary school, Mushin, Lagos.
He said that sanitation awareness and infrastructure were needed to bring about changes in hygiene behaviour of children at school and home.
Agbaje said that INADES would visit major public schools in Lagos State in an effort to sensitise students about the importance of sanitation and the need to embrace it.
“We will be going to major schools across the six education districts, indicating all it takes about sanitation and hygiene, to see how we can work and develop it more in students.
“We are looking at these students, leaders of tomorrow, knowing that when they are healthy, the future will be brighter.
“That is the reason behind this educational programme and charity work.
“Public schools are among the best places to spread this information and create the awareness of attaining a clean environment,” he said.
The official promised the the organisation would restore water pumps in the school and ensure steady water supply to keep a clean environment.
At the event, a partner to INADES, Dr Folajimi Adebowale, enlightened the students on social behavioural changes as regards improved hygiene.
Adebowale said that it was important for students to adopt healthy lifestyles and be sanitation conscious.
According to him, a clean environment is a healthy and worthy environment.
“The perfect way to keep health at its best is to take care of the overall norms of sanitation and hygiene which will curb prevalence of water and sanitation-related diseases.
“The message is that personal hygiene should be a priority. As little as it is, it goes a long way in attaining a valuable environment,” he said.
The Principal of St. Joseph’s Junior Secondary School, Mushin, Mrs Titilayo Oluwoga, applauded the organisation for the initiative.
She said that the sensitisation would go a long way to improve the students’ knowledge about sanitation.
“We really appreciate INADES for this laudable initiative. They are going to fix the pumps, and we will have enough washing points for students and members of staff to be using.
“One of the most effective ways to eradicate the spread of germs and diseases is the simple act of hand washing with water and soap.
“This is a project that this NGO has taken up, and the idea is to inculcate in us this practice and general hygiene lifestyle,” she said.
The principal thanked the organisation for choosing the school for the pilot project.
She also praised it for distributing school bags to more than 400 students.