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Hand Washing Day: UNICEF Urges Nigeria Govts To Invest In Hand Hygiene

Published

3 years ago

October 17, 2022

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has called on both the Federal and state governments to invest in hand hygiene for improved public health and to strengthen economic resilience in Nigeria.

UNICEF’s Chief of Field Office, Bauchi, Mr Tushar Rane, made the call in Bauchi on Monday at the commemoration of the 2022 Global Handwashing Day.

According to him, governments, development partners, private sector, academic institutions must join hands to advocate for, and to make handwashing a centerpiece of healthy practices beyond the 15th of October of every year.

He appreciated Gov. Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State for assenting to a bill to convert the Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) units into WASH departments in the state.

The UNICEF boss said this would institutionalise and support funding for WASH-related activities in Bauchi state.

He further revealed that Bauchi state was among the leading states in the implementation of WASH related interventions in Nigeria, adding that the state presently has seven LGAs that had attained the status of Open Defecation Free (ODF).

Rane added that UNICEF was optimistic that the Bauchi state government would support the full implementation of the state’s ODF road map designed to end open defecation by 2025, and subsequently contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals related to Water, Sanitation and Hygiene.

“To encourage development partners to sustain funding support for WASH interventions in all the 20 LGAs of Bauchi State, we would like to suggest that the state government should consistently release project capital cost to provide WASH facilities for all communities, schools, and primary health centres.

“The state government should also facilitate monthly release of project LGAs operational fund to the LGA WASH departments by the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs to sustain project implementation at the LGA and community levels,” he said.

Also speaking, the state Commissioner for Water Resources, Mr Ahmad Jalam, said this year’s commemoration has become more important as the simple and effective practice of hand washing with soap and clean water had been shown to be the first line of defence against the spread of coronavirus and cholera among other diseases.

Represented by Mr Adamu Ali, Director, Water Supply, Ministry of Water Resources, the commissioner said that WASH is one of the key priorities of governor Mohammed, adding that significant progress had been made in the improvement of access to safe water supply and effective sanitation in the state.

“I want to assure you that this government is resolutely committed to sustaining and accelerating progress in access to safe water supply, effective sanitation and good hygiene practices for the continued betterment of the lives of our people,” he said.

The theme of this year’s hand washing day is ‘Unite for universal Hand Hygiene’.

October 15 is Global Handwashing Day, which is a global advocacy day dedicated to increasing awareness and understanding about the importance of handwashing with soap as an effective and affordable way to prevent diseases and save lives.

Related Topics:#UNICEF Bauchi world hand washing day

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DSS Issues Warning, Arrests Man For Circulating Fake Recruitment Materials

Published

2 hours ago

August 24, 2025

Editor

The Department of State Services (DSS) has disclosed the arrest of one Mr. Eze Ezenwa Benard, who was recently apprehended for circulating fake DSS recruitment past questions and answers on Facebook.

The agency, while warning the public in a statement on Saturday, said the suspect operated through a page known as “Jobs and Education”, where he advertised the fraudulent materials and charged unsuspecting members of the public one thousand naira (N1,000) for access.

“The public is hereby cautioned to disregard any materials, as the DSS does not sell or distribute recruitment questions, answers, or examination guides through private individuals or social media pages. Recruitment into the Service, when necessary, follows specialised procedure in accordance with extant laws and due process,” the statement reads.

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‘Na Only People You Gave Work Love You,’ Singer Speed Darlington Tells Tinubu

Published

2 hours ago

August 24, 2025

Editor

Singer Speed Darlington has told President Bola Tinubu that public admiration cannot be bought, warning that only those who received appointments or jobs from the government truly support him.

In a video posted on Saturday, August 23, the singer said, “Everything isn’t about the economy! There is more to leadership than the economy. See as everybody dey call your name, dey complain. Nobody loves you. Na only the ones you gave work, na them love you. Even your own tribe dey complain about you.”

Darlington, an Igbo man, urged Tinubu to focus on police reform and respect for human rights. “The Nigerian police is an oppressive agency rooted in human rights violation. As a matter of fact, if they do not violate you, it’s as if they are not even doing their job.

“The idea of arrest before investigation is a pure human rights violation. You arrest and hold a person before you dey investigate. Please, before you leave office, please speak to your Yoruba brother IGP man,” he added.

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Before You Leave Office, Reform The Police — Speed Darlington Urges Tinubu

Published

2 hours ago

August 24, 2025

Editor

Popular controversial singer Speed Darlington has called on President Bola Tinubu to reform the Nigerian Police Force, urging the government to prioritise citizens’ rights alongside economic growth.

In a video posted on Saturday, the entertainer criticised what he described as the police’s systemic human rights violations and oppressive practices.

“Mr President, before you leave office, whether you secure a second term or not, try your best to improve Nigeria. Everything isn’t about the economy!

“There is more to leadership than the economy. See as everybody dey call your name, dey complain. Nobody loves you. Na only the ones you gave work, na them love you. Even your own tribe dey complain about you,” he said.

The singer, who identifies as Igbo, urged Tinubu to engage with the Inspector-General of Police and implement reforms.

“As an Igbo man, the advice I can give you so people will know your name and remember you for something good is to reform the police. Reform the police.

“The Nigerian police is an oppressive agency rooted in human rights violation. As a matter of fact, if they do not violate you, it’s as if they are not even doing their job.

“The idea of arrest before investigation is a pure human rights violation. You arrest and hold a person before you dey investigate,” he added.

Darlington also recounted his personal ordeal with law enforcement, highlighting the system’s abuse of power.

“I was held for two months after the judge had ordered my release. FID held me for two months. According to my lawyer, the Nigerian law gives only 28 days for investigation.

“They held me for two months. What is the extra month for? Because they can. If you give them money, they oppress your enemy. I have experienced it,” he said.