Katsina State has recorded a landmark public health and environmental achievement as His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Katsina State, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, PhD, CON, received the Winner’s Trophy in recognition of the state’s successful attainment of Open Defecation Free (ODF) status.
The presentation of the trophy marks the culmination of sustained, statewide efforts to eliminate open defecation, improve sanitation and hygiene practices, and promote healthier living conditions for citizens across urban and rural communities.
Receiving the award, Governor Radda described the achievement as a victory for the people of Katsina State and a testament to the power of collective responsibility and effective governance. He noted that the ODF status aligns with his administration’s people-centered development agenda, which prioritizes public health, environmental sustainability, and human dignity.
The Governor emphasized that sanitation is not merely an infrastructure issue but a fundamental public health and social development priority, adding that his administration will continue to invest in clean water supply, sanitation facilities, and hygiene education to sustain the gains achieved.
In his remarks, the Commissioner for Water Resources, Hon Bishir Gambo Saulawa, commended the Governor’s leadership and unwavering political will, which were instrumental in driving the sanitation reforms to completion. The Commissioner highlighted that the ODF declaration was the result of coordinated action involving state and local governments, traditional institutions, community leaders, development partners, and sanitation workers.
He explained that the Ministry of Water Resources led extensive community engagement, construction and rehabilitation of sanitation facilities, enforcement of sanitation standards, and behavior change campaigns across all local government areas. According to him, the achievement reflects a holistic approach that combines infrastructure development with public awareness and accountability.
The SURWASH Project Coordinator in Katsina State, Hon Aminu Dayyabu Safana also lauded the state government for its strong partnership and commitment to the Sustainable Urban and Rural Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (SURWASH) Programme. The Coordinator noted that Katsina State has emerged as a model for effective implementation of water, sanitation, and hygiene interventions in Nigeria.
He stated that the SURWASH project supported Katsina State through technical assistance, capacity building, community-led total sanitation initiatives, and monitoring mechanisms that ensured compliance with national and international sanitation standards. He added that the state’s ODF status demonstrates what can be achieved when government ownership, community participation, and development partner support are effectively aligned.
The ceremony also served as an opportunity to reaffirm the state’s commitment to sustaining ODF status through continuous monitoring, maintenance of sanitation facilities, and ongoing public sensitization to prevent a relapse into open defecation practices.
The ODF milestone positions Katsina State as a leader in sanitation reform, contributing significantly to improved public health outcomes, reduced waterborne diseases, environmental protection, and progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals related to clean water and sanitation.
