ODF: EU, UNICEF Hail Anambra As 27 More Communities Attain Status
By Nedum Noble
Theย European Union (EU) and the United Nations Children’s Fundย (UNICEF) have commended the
Anambra state government for its commitment towards the attainment of the Open Defecation Free (ODF) status.
The commendation is coming on the heels of increasing number of communities in the state that have so far been certified Open Defecation Free by the National Task Group on Sanitation(NTGS) in 2017.
As at the last count, no fewer than 27 new communities in Aguata Council Area have been declared Open Defecation Free by the UNICEF WASH team.
Speaking at an event marking the celebration for award of ODF certificate, the WASH consultant at Aguata, Obinna Ogbodo, applauded the communities, saying they have registered their names in gold and national recognition.
He noted that since the beginning of the programme, lots of progress have been recorded in all communities in the Council Area, particularly in the area of promotion of hygiene and ODF attainments, adding that the state government had been supportive through regular and prompt payment of its counterpart funds.
He listed the communities with ODF status to include Uhuala (Akpo), Umueze Ubo (Achina), Obinabo (Nkologwu), Ndi Okolo (Agulezechukwu) and Iwu (Igbo Ukwu).
Others are Azinobi (Ezinifite), Ofo Ogili, Umueze (Igbo Ukwu) and Ezeife(Isuofia), etc, adding that they were acclaimed world wide as the only wards in the state to attain such heights.
The Chairman of the Council Area, Hon. Eche Ezeibe, while congratulating the communities that attained ODF, challenged the remaining 25 communities to brace up to ensure they attain the status, as their partnership with UNICEF WASH has brought change to the area.
Represented by Mrs. Ebere Okonkwo, Ezeibe noted that the essence of the recognition was for a sustainable environmental sanitation, improvement of health of the masses as contained in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
He commended the donor agencies, Anambra state government, state ministry of health, among others for their various contributions to build a healthy environment in the state.
Contributing, the wife of the State Governor, Eberechukwu Obiano, through her CAFE Director, Mrs. Mary Oguguo, enjoined the communities not to relent on the achievement, adding that the toilet facilities provided by the office of the Governorโs wife in markets was to support ODF program in the state.
Some of the community representatives that attained the ODF status, Mrs. Juliana Ochuba and Mrs. Chiadi Ejikeme, described as heartwarming, the achievement of such a noble fit, saying their communities are now living healthier life.
