Environmental Council Urges Nigerians to Embrace Sanitation, Hygiene

The Environmental Health Council of Nigeria (EHCON) has urged Nigerians to prioritise environmental sanitation, personal hygiene, and other preventive measures to help reduce the spread of disease.
Dr Yakubu Baba, Registrar of EHCON, made the call in a statement issued in Abuja on Friday.

He said poor sanitary conditions, unsafe water sources, and unhygienic environments could expose communities — particularly children — to preventable illnesses. Baba urged Nigerians to make environmental cleanliness and personal hygiene an integral part of their daily routines, stressing that effective disease prevention begins with healthy practices, clean surroundings, timely vaccination, and responsible health-seeking behaviour.

He further called on parents and caregivers to prioritise their children's health by ensuring they receive appropriate vaccinations and seeking prompt medical attention whenever symptoms of illness appear. "Closing vaccination gaps and ensuring access to basic preventive healthcare are critical to protecting children and reducing the burden of transmissible diseases," he said.

Baba called for collective responsibility in maintaining clean and healthy environments, urging communities to ensure proper refuse disposal, prevent contamination of water sources, maintain clean surroundings and functional drainage systems, and observe regular hand-washing alongside other basic hygiene practices. "We should guide against conditions such as overcrowding and environmental practices that can facilitate the transmission of diseases," he added.

He concluded by calling for sustained public-health education and stronger cooperation among government agencies, healthcare professionals, families, and communities in the ongoing fight against preventable diseases.