In commemoration of 2024 Menstrual Hygiene Day, WaterAid Nigeria with financial support from Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints on Tuesday, May 28, 2024, commissioned WASH facilities and female-friendly toilets at Isiwu Junior Grammar School in Lagos.
Other communities such as Idera, Ita-Oluwo, Itamaga, Rolu-Parafa all in a Ikorodu North LCDA also benefited from the intervention programme embarked upon by WaterAid Nigeria which is aimed at improving access to clean, safe and affordable drinking water for people at the grassroots.
In his submission, Dr. Adebayo Alao, WaterAid Lagos Programme Lead, said: “We are particularly happy commissioning this project same day we are commemorating World Hygiene Day. Menstruation is a very significant stage of a girl-child, and it is something that is of note that we need to take very seriously and as parents we need to accord it the necessary recognition.
“We all understand we need water to be hygienic during this period, that is one of the purpose this facility will serve.”
Mr. Charles Okoyomon, representing Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in his remarks, disclosed: “The Church decides to partner with WaterAid because they believe they can deliver on the projects in line with the vision of the Church.
“A department in the Church called LDS Charity is solely responsible for financing these projects and there are numerous projects such as this currently ongoing. I can confirm to you that the Church is everly committed to giving back to the anytime any day.”
On why the choice of Ikorodu, Okoyomon said: “We believe that anywhere your needs will be felt, you take it there, these WASH facilities may not be appreciated elsewhere, of course Ikorodu is a developing area and when you want to do something, you want to give it to people that need it the most.”
James Oyedele, Deputy Director, Office of Drainage Services and Water Resources in Lagos State Ministry of Environment and Water Resources. commended the facilitator of the project for giving back to the society.
His words: “We are happy to be partners in progress and we shall continue to be partners in ensuring that we move towards the SGD’s 6th goal in providing safe drinking and sanitation for all. As we all know, if there is no water, there is no sanitation, so water plays a key role in sanitation” he submitted.
Amin Olawale Ibrahim Apanishile, Vice Chairman, Ikorodu North LCDA, in his speech expressed his gladness towards the facilitator of the project across various communities in his domain.
Apanishile, who also doubles as the Supervisor for the Environment in the LCDA, said: “We want to appreciate WaterAid Nigeria for choosing Ikorodu North LCDA as a beneficiary of these laudable projects. Our people in various communities are feeling your presence. We appreciate your kind gesture towards ensuring our people live a very comfortable life.”
Mr. Adenigba Henry Oluwarotimi, Executive Director, Humanity Family Foundation for Peace and Development (HUFFPED), while admonishing the residents to take operation and maintenance of the projects very serious, said: “When you look at the project compared to how it was before, there had been levels of renovations put into this before we arrive at what we have today, so ensure you monitor, maintain and sustain the project to as to encourage the facilitators to do more.”
Speaking on behalf of his people, Mr. Olalekan Onafuye, WASHCOM Chairman in Rolu-Parafa, commended WaterAid for the implementation of water facility in his community. “We want to thank you for your efforts and also to assure you that we will maintain this facility at all times, we also want to welcome projects such as this in the future,” he said.
Highlights of the event was the signing of Memorandum of Understanding between Ikorodu North LCDA Chairman and the communities that benefitted from the projects and the handing-over of six sets of WASH maintenance kits to the six WASH Management Communities.
Dignitaries at the event include Prince Niran Ogunbanwo, CDC Chairman Ikorodu North LCDA; Niyi Odugbesi, Secretary to Local Government (SLG) Ikorodu North LCDA; Oba David Olukayode Raji-Balogun, the Eweye of Isiwu Land; and others.
By Ajibola Adedoye
