From Taiye Joseph
As part of the 2025 Children’s Day celebration, the Well Being Foundation Africa (WBFA), has called on students to cultivate habits of proper handwashing, sanitation, and personal hygiene to ensure a healthier and safer future for all.
Speaking during the Dettol Hygiene Quest Walk, held in Ilorin on Tuesday, the WBFA National Programs Manager, Mr. Kehinde Akinsola, said the walk was not just a physical activity but a demonstration of the shared commitment to building a cleaner and safer environment for children in Kwara and Nigeria at large.
“Today, we celebrate not just our children but the impact of hygiene, health education and community awareness. Our hygiene quest programme is reaching thousands of students with vital lessons on handwashing and sanitation, which will protect them now and empower them for the future,” Akinsola said.
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He emphasised the WBFA’s belief in education as a fundamental right, noting that initiatives like this bring that belief to life—”school by school, child by child.”
Akinsola also appreciated the support of stakeholders and the students’ commitment to hygiene practices, encouraging everyone to see each step taken during the walk as a reminder of the shared responsibility to maintain clean surroundings and promote good health habits.
The Kwara State Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, Dr. Lawal Olohungbebe, represented by the Director of School Services, Mrs. Eunice Abidoye, lauded the initiative, describing it as a significant effort to instill hygiene values in children.
Similarly, the Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Prof. Raheem Adaramaja, represented by the Director of Quality Assurance, Mr. Idiagbon Adebimpe, urged the students to spread the handwashing message among their peers and families to support a cleaner environment.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Environment, Mrs. Nafisat Buge, represented by Mrs. Sherifat Isiaka, advised students to practice regular handwashing, especially after using the toilet and before and after meals, to prevent disease outbreaks.
The Commissioner for Social Development, Dr. Mariam Imam, represented by Alhaji Hamzat Oladimeji, described the event as timely and impactful, encouraging students to share the knowledge they acquired for the benefit of the wider society.
The walk, which highlighted the importance of hygiene education among children, featured the participation of 100 students from 20 schools across the state, alongside government officials and development partners.
