Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation Prof. Joseph Utsev has sought the Catholic Church’s support in the national campaign against open defecation in the country.
The minister, who stated this during a courtesy visit to the Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja, Most Rev. Ignatius Ayau Kaigama, emphasised the role of faith-based organisations in achieving a cleaner and healthier society.
He highlighted the Clean Nigeria: Use the Toilet campaign, which was launched in 2019 and aims to eradicate open defecation in Nigeria by 2030. The campaign gained legal backing through Executive Order 9, signed on November 20, 2019, and has seen progress under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
“Before this administration, 102 local governments were open defecation-free. Today, the number has risen to 142, with Jigawa State being the only state completely free of open defecation,” the minister stated.
He stressed that open defecation contaminates water bodies and contributes to the spread of waterborne diseases. “Water is life, but when polluted due to poor sanitation, it leads to disease outbreaks. Eliminating open defecation will make our society cleaner and healthier,” Prof. Utsev added.
Recognising the church’s influence in shaping public behaviour, the minister appealed to Archbishop Kaigama to integrate the campaign into church teachings and outreach programmes. “The church is the house of the Lord, where the good news is preached. We believe the church can help propagate this message by emphasising the dignity of human life and the importance of caring for one’s neighbour. If we truly care for others, we cannot defecate in the open, knowing it harms them,” he stated.
The minister urged churches to serve as role models by maintaining proper sanitation facilities and encouraging behavioural change among parishioners. To ensure wider coverage, he also requested opportunities to share this message at bishops’ conferences, priestly gatherings, and other religious events.
In response, Archbishop Kaigama reaffirmed the Catholic Church’s commitment to promoting societal well-being and pledged support for the initiative. He emphasised that protecting the environment aligns with Pope Francis’s teachings, which call for responsible stewardship of creation.
The archbishop lauded the minister’s visit, describing it as a critical step toward addressing environmental concerns. He stressed the importance of collective action in tackling these issues.
“We must work together, government, church, and faith-based organisations. The government cannot do it alone. The message from the minister of water resources and sanitation is crucial. It is a life-saving message. We need to take care of our environment,” Kaigama stated.
He warned against reckless environmental practices, noting that pollution and poor waste management contribute to disease outbreaks.
“This is a mission to save lives. Lives are sacred. I join you in this crusade. It is a war, but by the grace of God, you will win,” the archbishop stated.
The minister also joined Catholics worldwide in praying for Pope Francis’s quick recovery as he undergoes medical treatment. “We pray that the good Lord, who created heaven and earth, will grant him healing,” the minister said.
