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The Kano State Government has stepped up its campaign to eliminate open defecation, adding six additional local government areas (LGAs) to the list of those being targeted for improved sanitation.
This brings the total number of LGAs actively participating in the Open Defecation Free (ODF) programme to 26.
In a statement issued on Sunday by Mustapha Muhammad, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, it was revealed that 15 LGAs have already achieved ODF status. The government plans to officially certify these councils for their progress toward better sanitation practices.
The ODF campaign, implemented through the Kano State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASA), operates under the Ministry of Rural and Urban Development, in partnership with UNICEF. The initiative is focused not only on infrastructure but also on behavior change and community engagement.
To promote hygiene and sanitation, the state government has distributed various public awareness tools and sanitation materials. These include Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials, Tippy Tap handwashing devices, improved latrine covers, and sensitisation banners placed in strategic locations across the state.
Engr. Shamwilu Abdulkadir Isa, Managing Director of RUWASA, highlighted the importance of public awareness in tackling sanitation-related challenges. “We are not just distributing materials – we are changing behaviour,” he said. “This campaign is about awakening public consciousness and preventing the spread of waterborne and sanitation-related diseases.”
He emphasized that achieving full ODF status in Kano requires a united effort from both the government and the citizens. “This is not a job for the government alone. There has to be a collective commitment from all stakeholders,” he noted.
Engr. Isa further praised the administration of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for providing strong political support and commitment to the sanitation campaign. “The support from His Excellency has been unwavering. Without political backing, we wouldn’t have achieved this level of progress,” he remarked.
In a significant boost to the programme, the government has also provided sustainable hygiene solutions such as SATO toilet pans to communities in the 15 LGAs already declared ODF. These cost-effective and eco-friendly solutions are expected to sustain the gains already recorded.
The latest LGAs to be incorporated into the campaign are Sumaila, Tudun Wada, Doguwa, Tofa, Bunkure, and Garun Malam. The government has also disbursed counterpart funding to facilitate the extension of sanitation infrastructure and awareness campaigns to these new areas.
Strategic public locations, including motor parks, Tsangaya schools, and local markets, have been prioritized for sanitation interventions to ensure widespread access to hygienic facilities.
Engr. Isa expressed optimism that the newly targeted LGAs will soon meet the required standards and be certified as ODF-compliant. “We are hopeful that these LGAs will soon be certified as ODF-compliant,” he assured the public.