Toyin saraki’s Well-Being Foundation Impacts On 20 schools, 24 communities, 12 healthcare facilities in Kwara 

Well-Being Foundation Africa (WBFA), a non-governmental humanitarian organisation founded by former Kwara state first lady, Barr. Toyin Saraki has conducted hygiene education programmes across 20 schools, 24 communities and 12 healthcare facilities in Kwara state.

The Foundation achieved this feat in the first quarter of 2024.

WBFA, a global nonprofit organisation which focuses on education, environmental, and health advancements, partnered with Reckitt-Dettol to implement this initiative.

 During a stakeholders’ meeting to review the Hygiene Quest activities, WBFA’s Programme Director, Dr. Francis Ogbise, represented by Programme Lead Mr. Kehinde Akinsola, announced plans to train selected students and teachers to establish Hygiene Clubs in schools, ensuring the program’s sustainability.

Dr. Ogbise highlighted the initiative’s goal to enhance health outcomes for women, children, and infants.

According to him, the Hygiene Quest Programme, entering its second phase from 2024 to 2026, aims to reach 300 schools.

 The meeting, he said,  provided a platform for stakeholders to discuss achieving improved hygiene in schools, communities, and health centers in Kwara State.

”Safe Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) is not only a prerequisite to generational health but a catalyst for resilient, peaceful, and prosperous communities,” he said.

Emphasizing the importance of Safe Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), Dr. Ogbise noted its critical role in fostering healthy, resilient, and prosperous communities.

Reckitt Dettol’s Territory Sales Manager, Mr. Musa Nurudeen, emphasized the partnership with WBFA, aligning with their shared vision of promoting hygiene awareness among vulnerable groups such as women and children. He reiterated that wellness is a fundamental right, not a privilege.

”Women and children that are more vulnerable need to be enlightened on hygiene and germs for them to know how to protect themselves.

”By having programmes like this, we want everyone to know that well-being and wellness are not a privilege but a right,” Mr. Nurudeen said.

Mr. Muhammad Nasir from the Ministry of Water Resources praised the initiative and suggested extending outreach to out-of-school children and pregnant women not receiving antenatal care for a broader impact.

Mrs. Motunrayo Yahaya, Director of Nursing Services at Okelele Primary Health Care Centre, reported a decrease in diarrhea and vomiting cases since the program’s inception in 2022, contributing to lower maternal mortality. She advocated for installing handwashing stations in schools and constructing public toilets statewide.

Mr. Taiye Odedeji, Deputy Director at the Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development, commended the foundation’s efforts towards Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 3 and 4, emphasizing the inclusion of teachers in the program for effective leadership by example.

Dr. Temitope Ajibola, Chairman of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPSS), represented by Mr. Julius Balogun, recommended collaboration with other NGOs to expand the program’s reach and impact.

The Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, represented by Mogaji Odota Alhaji Muhammed Okanlawon, stressed the importance of community involvement for sustainability, noting the positive influence of those already trained.

Alhaji Kamaludeen Jimoh, the Oniganmo of Ganmo, represented by Abdulganiy Okoh, urged greater efforts to maintain cleanliness and enforce penalties for non-compliance. He also recommended establishing community hygiene clubs to support and monitor school clubs.

Mr. Olalekan Rufai, Head of the WASH department at Kwara Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA), encouraged stakeholders to adopt a community-led total sanitation approach, ensuring community ownership and implementation of hygiene practices.