Sightsavers Nigeria has engaged traditional, community, and religious leaders to tackle trachoma and other neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) in Yola community, Augie Local Government Area, Kebbi State.
The initiative, conducted through a stakeholders’ engagement meeting, aimed to promote healthy practices and strengthen community involvement under the theme: “Promoting Healthy Practices and Strengthening Community Engagement for Facial Cleanliness and Environmental Improvement (F&E).”
Speaking during the sensitisation exercise, tagged “Sanitation and Hygiene Awareness and Sensitisation Meeting” held in Birnin Kebbi on Wednesday, the Country Director of Sightsavers Nigeria, Prof. Joy Shu’aibu, said collaborative efforts were key to eradicating preventable diseases.
Represented by Dr. Teyil Wamyil-Mshelia, Country Coordinator for Trachoma, Shu’aibu highlighted the organisation’s collaboration with other NGOs to ensure the success of the campaign. She noted the presence of royal fathers, community and religious leaders, as well as representatives from the Kebbi State Ministries of Environment, Education, and Health, describing their participation as vital.
“We are confident that these deliberations will yield fruitful results for the people of Augie, Kebbi, and Nigeria as a whole,” Shu’aibu said, commending stakeholders for their commitment to achieving the programme’s goals.
Yahaya Muhammad, Chairman of Augie Local Government, praised Sightsavers for the ongoing initiative and pledged full council support to make Augie free of trachoma and open defecation.
“I assure Sightsavers that Augie Local Government Council will provide all necessary support and cooperation to achieve these objectives,” he said.
Muhammad Lawal-Gwandu of RUWASA affirmed the agency’s commitment to making Augie opn defecation-free, while Mr. Tonyi Adisa of UNICEF stressed the impact of NTDs on rural and low-income communities and pledged continued support until the set goals are achieved.
Religious leaders, led by Hafiz Abubakar, Imam of Yola village, pledged to educate their congregations on hygiene and sanitation through various religious gatherings. Traditional rulers also committed to ongoing public enlightenment on handwashing and other healthy practices.
The meeting further recommended the reintroduction of environmental sanitation personnel (Duba Gari) and the establishment of local government-level hygiene taskforces with traditional rulers as members to strengthen sanitation initiatives in the area.
