As the world commemorates World Hygiene Day today, May 5, 2025, the National Orientation Agency (NOA) has issued a public message urging Nigerians to embrace cleanliness and proper hygiene as essential tools for healthy living and national development.
In a statement released from its headquarters in Abuja, the NOA emphasized that the observance of World Hygiene Day is not only about preventing diseases but also about fostering discipline, responsibility, and respect for shared spaces within the society.
The Director-General of the NOA, Dr. Garba Abari, reiterated the importance of basic hygiene practices such as regular hand washing, proper waste disposal, clean food handling, and environmental sanitation. He stressed that these seemingly simple actions play a vital role in preventing the spread of infectious diseases like cholera, Lassa fever, typhoid, and diarrhea, which continue to claim lives across Nigeria.
“This year’s World Hygiene Day theme reminds us that personal hygiene is a shared responsibility. We must understand that keeping our homes, schools, markets, motor parks, and public institutions clean is not only a civic duty but also a moral obligation to one another,” Dr. Abari stated.
He further called on local governments, community leaders, and faith-based organizations to step up sensitization efforts within their constituencies, urging collective action to promote cleanliness and ensure healthier communities.
NOA also highlighted the significance of hygiene in schools, urging parents, teachers, and government agencies to provide clean toilets, safe drinking water, and basic hygiene education for pupils and students to safeguard their health and academic performance.
In line with its mandate, the Agency reaffirmed its commitment to continuing nationwide enlightenment campaigns on hygiene, sanitation, and public health practices, especially in rural areas where awareness and facilities are often limited.
As Nigeria joins the global community in marking this important day, the NOA’s message resonates as a timely reminder that the journey to a cleaner, healthier, and more productive nation begins with each individual taking responsibility for their personal and environmental hygiene.
