The Ministry emphasized that this initiative aims to strengthen students’ understanding of personal hygiene, clean environments, and climate-protective lifestyles. It also seeks to enhance their critical thinking skills on environmental sanitation issues. The essence of this initiative is to develop and maintain clean, safe, healthy, and pleasant environments in all human settlements, thereby promoting the social, economic, and physical well-being of the population.
Mr. Olubunmi Olusanya, Director of Pollution Control and Environmental Health at the Ministry of Environment, highlighted these goals during the “2024 National Environmental Sanitation Day Junior Secondary School Quiz Competition” in Abuja on Tuesday. He encouraged students to showcase their knowledge and embrace the message, “Go Greener, Stay Clean, Climate Change is Real,” spreading it to their schools, homes, and communities.
Olusanya stressed the importance of keeping environments clean at all times, noting that the current cholera outbreak in the country is a consequence of poor sanitation and hygiene practices. He emphasized that regular cleaning of the environment can help prevent the spread of germs and illnesses.
He also expressed the Ministry’s gratitude to the Federal Ministry of Education, school management, and teachers for their dedication to nurturing future leaders and change-makers. He acknowledged Breakthrough Action Nigeria for their support in making the event a success.
Mrs. Mailafiya Danlami Hassana, a representative from the Federal Ministry of Education, explained that the quiz competition on “Environmental Sanitation and Hygiene, and Climate Change” is designed to help students reflect on the importance of sanitation and hygiene practices. She reiterated that environmental sanitation and hygiene are foundational pillars of a healthy and sustainable life.
