The media has been urged to play a pivotal role in driving change through sustained advocacy on Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) services in Kano and Jigawa states.
The call was made by the Chief of UNICEF Field Office Kano at a media dialogue on WASH services in Primary Health Care (PHC) and schools in Kano and Jigawa states.
The media dialogue, held recently at Tahir Quest Palace, Kano, brought key stakeholders together to examine challenges affecting WASH services and possible solutions.
“According to the Nigeria 2021 WASHNORM II survey, only 11% of schools nationwide have access to basic water supply, basic sanitation, and hygiene services, with Jigawa scoring below national averages in school hygiene infrastructure,” he said.
He added that the situation is dire, noting that poor WASH conditions contribute to child morbidity and undermine SDGs targets for education and universal WASH.
Farah said UNICEF is supporting government efforts to improve WASH services across both states.
According to him, the UK government is investing £19 million in the Climate Resilient for Basic Infrastructure (CRIBS) programme, which has led to the inauguration of 84 climate-resilient health and education facilities in Kano and Jigawa, statewide efforts.
