From Mika’il Tsoho, Dutse
The stakeholders in Jigawa state, designed a roadmap for the Sustainability of Open Defecation Free (ODF) including the establishment of ODF state Secretariat and selecting of Free Day to create awareness on ODF in the state.
This was contained in a communique issued at two day Post-ODF Assessments Dissemination, Strategy implementation Progress Review, and ODF Sustainability Planning Workshop, Organized by Jigawa state ministry of water resources in collaboration with UNICEF, held at Jamil Guest House in Bauchi.
During the workshop, the participants also agreed for the re-Structuring of LGA WASH Departments to ensure proper alignment with State, national and global WASH structures.
Also to strengthen awareness creation, the participants agreed for the establishment of “Jigawa Open Defecation Free Day”.
Other resolutions of the workshop, recommended Local government Council Chairmen to conduct ODF awareness campaign on quarterly basis.
Adoption of Reliable Data for Monitoring and Evaluation, Review of the State WASH policy, Including issues related to Gender equity, Disability and social Inclusion (GEDSI) as well as sustainability of ODF Gains, through continuous hygiene promotion, enforcement of State OD prohibition law, Open defecation by-laws, and improved community engagement. Strengthening Demand creation and private sector engagement.
“Dissemination and sensitization of State Open defecation Prohibition law and LGAs Bye-laws. Emphasis was placed on integration of ODF into local government budgets and annual work plans, as well as multi-sectoral coordination among relevant MDAs.
“Construction of WASH facility (Latrine and Water) in major markets within Birnin Kudu LGA, He pledges to deliver for One market before the commemoration of this year’s world toilet day ( The 2025’s WTD to be commemorated at Birnin kudu to inaugurate this pledge), the remaining markets are in the 2026 budget.Other LGA Chairmen to submit their commitment to ministry for LGA. (accountable person is director PHC MLG”.
While delivering her speech, The UNICEF WASH Officer, Kano Field Office, Dr Ifeoma Stella Okafor said, the Workshop aimed at strengthening the state strategic stakeholder’s knowledge on post-ODF strategic document and to disseminate the post –ODF assessment findings and report To agree on the key implementation strategy for Post ODF activities
According to her, other objectives of the workshop is to create the state’s enabling environment that sufficiently strengthened the state to ensure effective delivery of safely managed sanitation for all by 2030 as well as to develop a costed implementation plan and Communiqué
Dr Stella added that, the participants Deliberation during the workshop focused on four key thematic areas: Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E)Financing and Enabling Environment for Sustainable Sanitation, Demand Creation and supplyService Delivery Mechanisms.
The stakeholders then, commended the Government of Jigawa State, under the leadership of Malam Umar A. Namadi, for prioritizing sanitation and hygiene as a cornerstone of the 12-Point Agenda and Greater Jigawa Initiative. UNICEF is also appreciated for continues support to the State.
The meeting reaffirmed the collective resolve to sustain Jigawa’s ODF achievement, strengthen systems, and ensure that sanitation remains a catalyst for health, dignity, and environmental sustainability across all communities.
