By Gabriel Ewepu
The Abuja National Mosque Thursday backed the Federal Government’s campaign to end open defecation by 2030 through the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation.
While receiving a delegation from the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, led by the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr Joseph Utsev, on an advocacy visit for Clean Nigeria:
Use the Toilet Campaign at the National Mosque, Abuja, the Murshid of the Abuja National Mosque, Prof Shehu Galadanchi, commended the Ministry for the initiative and the campaign while pointing out that the Islamic religion seriously promotes cleanliness and sanitation issues.
Galadanchi, who Prof Kabir Adam represented, assured the Minister of the mosque’s full commitment to champion the campaign with holistic sensitization of Muslims on the dangers of open defecation.
Meanwhile, according to him, the mosque has provided sanitation facilities for about 6,000 worshippers on a daily basis. These facilities include toilets and ablution areas capable of serving 300 people, along with designated spaces for funeral rites and proper cleansing of the deceased before burial.
He said: “We will encourage Imams nationwide to incorporate this campaign into their sermons and community engagements.
“This campaign is a shared responsibility, and we are committed to playing our part in ensuring Nigeria becomes open defecation-free by 2030.”
Earlier, the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr Joseph Utsev, called on the Mosque to work together to ensure open defecation is defeated and eradicated.
According to Utsev, the Mosque is strategic in the campaign to end open defecation in the country. This campaign is very dear to President Bola Tinubu, who has placed a high priority on the public health of Nigerians. Therefore, his administration is deeply committed to achieving a Nigeria that is open defecation-free by 2030.
He also disclosed that 142 local government areas had already been declared open defecation-free, with Jigawa being the only state to have fully achieved this status.
Therefore, he expressed optimism that with the determination to change the narrative in the nation’s water and sanitation sector to enhance the public health of Nigerians, the remaining 35 States and the Federal Capital Territory by attaining the open defecation-free status.
The Minister pointed out that, given the influence of Imams and religious leaders in shaping public behavior while emphasizing the role of the Abuja National Mosque, there is no denying the impact it will make by achieving the 2030 target of ending open defecation.
However, the Minister urged religious leaders to incorporate sanitation messages into their teachings to adequately convey the campaign’s message to their faithful.
He said: “Through sermons, public teachings, and community engagement, the mosque can serve as a powerful platform to promote hygiene and sanitation practices across the country.
“Beyond places of worship, we encourage individuals to take responsibility for sanitation in their homes and workplaces, fostering lasting behavioural change.”
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