In a renewed effort to promote public health and improve hygiene, the Oyo State Government has inaugurated a 20-member State Task Group on Sanitation to tackle open defecation and enhance access to water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities across the state.
The inauguration ceremony, held on Thursday at the House of Chiefs in Ibadan, was led by the Deputy Governor, Bayo Lawal, who was represented by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Dotun Oyelade.
Lawal emphasized the urgency of the campaign, noting that many institutions in the state still operate without basic sanitation infrastructure.
“We must intensify public awareness campaigns and provide compelling reasons for individuals and institutions to install proper sanitation facilities,” he stated.
“The government is fully committed to eliminating open defecation in Oyo State by 2028, and the launch of this task group is a crucial step in that direction.”
The STGS, chaired by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Olanike Adeyemo, is composed of officials drawn from various sectors and agencies, including Omoyele Omofoyewa, Olalekan Isaac, Oyedele Oladayo, Rafiu Baasit, and Abayomi Yusuff, among others.
Chairman of the Oyo State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA), Babalola Afobaje, described the initiative as timely and critical to scaling up sanitation efforts in the state. “This task force will accelerate our activities in sanitation and hygiene promotion,” he noted.
Supporting the initiative, the Chairman of the House of Assembly Committee on Environment, Ecology and Water Resources, Olorunpoto Cephas, reaffirmed the legislature’s backing.
“We are ready to provide the necessary laws, oversight, and advocacy to ensure this vision becomes a reality. Collaboration with RUWASSA, MDAs, local governments, and community leaders will be key,” Cephas said.
