In a decisive push toward public health reform, the Chairman of Enugu North Local Government Area, Dr. Ibenaku Onoh, has launched a grassroots sanitation campaign aimed at making the LGA Open Defecation Free (ODF) in alignment with Enugu State's broader hygiene vision.
The campaign, implemented across five key wards, Ogbete East, Ogbete West, New Haven, Independence Layout, and Pottery, was in partnership with the Enugu State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (EN-RUWASSA) and the Enugu State Water Corporation.
“We’re not just campaigning for clean environments, we’re championing a shift in daily habits that preserve health and dignity across Enugu North,” Dr. Onoh stated during the sensitization exercise.
Spearheaded at the ward level by Mrs. Adaora Oji-Ngwu, the Senior Special Assistant on Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), the campaign featured door-to-door engagement, live sanitation demonstrations, and hygiene education. Residents were trained on the importance of toilet maintenance and the dangers of unsafe waste disposal.
Of particular note was the promotion of affordable toilet solutions, including the Satopan and Sato stool, designed to be both cost-effective and easily installed in low-income homes. These sessions were led by Mrs. Serah Chioma Agbo of EN-RUWASSA and Mrs. Faith Odo, head of Enugu North LGA’s WASH department, who provided critical technical guidance.
“This accessibility-first approach ensures that every household in Enugu North has a pathway to dignified, safe sanitation, regardless of income level,” Dr. Onoh emphasized.
The effort also aligns with Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah’s larger goal of achieving state-wide ODF status. While water infrastructure development is ongoing, Dr. Onoh underscored that behavioral change is key to sustainable progress.
Mr. Ogbu Godwin from the Enugu State Water Corporation reaffirmed the state government’s dedication to expanding clean water access to reinforce hygiene practices.
Enugu North LGA’s model blends community participation, public-private partnership, and inclusiveness to set a new benchmark in local government sanitation reform.
“As the movement for ODF status gains momentum, Enugu North continues to lead the way, one ward, one household, and one solution at a time,” Dr. Onoh concluded..
