The Wellbeing Foundation Africa (WBFA), in partnership with Reckitt Nigeria, has empowered 34 students from 17 local schools in the Kuje Area Council as Dettol Hygiene Quest Ambassadors, charging them to champion hygiene advocacy within their schools and communities.
The initiative aims to establish Hygiene Quest Clubs, enabling students to spearhead Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) activities, heighten hygiene awareness and conduct handwashing demonstrations throughout schools in Kuje.
The director of Programming and Reporting for the Wellbeing Foundation Africa (WBFA), Dr Osinachi Onyeoziri, represented by the state programme lead in Abuja, Mr. Kelvin Agagbe, emphasised the pivotal role the student ambassadors play in fostering healthy habits.
“The goal is for the ambassadors to lead hygiene demonstrations in their schools and encourage their peers to join the clubs, so that handwashing becomes a habit, whether at school, at home, or anywhere they find themselves.
“If children imbibe this habit, it will reduce infections and illnesses, which in turn will reduce absenteeism. When a child is not sick, they will be in school. When a child is healthy, parents will not have to divert scarce resources to medical care,” he added.
Mr Azaki Rabo from the Department of Environment in Kuje Area Council also spoke at the event, stressing the importance of collective responsibility in driving sustainable change.
“As we gather here, we are not just individuals; we are champions of change, united by our passion for creating healthier communities.
“This programme will foster transformation among students in our schools here in Kuje, as we believe it will ensure that they consistently practise good hygiene,” he said.
The district head of Kuchigbu Community, Mr. Japhet Luka, praised the programme’s positive impact and expressed confidence that the induction session would enhance the capacity of both students and teachers in promoting good hygiene practices.
