The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), in partnership with the University of Calabar (UniCal), has launched a campus-wide campaign aimed at ending open defecation within the institution.
The campaign, inaugurated on Monday in Calabar, began with a sensitisation rally across the university campus led by students under UNICEF’s Clean Campus Programme.
Speaking during the rally, the Dean of Students Affairs, Prof. Offiong Mensah, said the initiative became necessary due to increasing cases of open defecation on campus and the health risks associated with the practice.
According to him, poor sanitation poses serious dangers to both students and the environment.
“Open defecation affects the health of students and the environment they live in. The university does not find this a healthy practice, which is why we are raising awareness on the dangers involved,” Mensah said.
He acknowledged that inadequate toilet facilities and entrenched habits were among the factors contributing to the problem.
The dean, however, disclosed that the university management had commenced rehabilitation and replacement of faulty toilets across the campus.
He added that the university’s Works Department had also been directed to evacuate filled septic tanks and unblock damaged toilet systems.
“The current Vice Chancellor has begun replacing and repairing toilets across campus. Efforts are ongoing to ensure toilets are accessible and open defecation is completely eradicated,” he stated.
Also speaking, a member of UNICEF’s Young People Action Team, Mr. Dumbari Life, explained that the campaign would be student-driven and sustained through advocacy activities and sanitation challenges.
“This is the first phase where we sensitise students. Moving forward, students will participate in challenges and assessments to determine available and functional toilet facilities,” he said.
Life noted that UniCal was selected for the programme because of its existing three-year partnership with UNICEF on several initiatives, including the Unilever Campus Programme and the Yoma Programme.
He explained that the Clean Campus initiative was also being implemented in 10 other universities across the country.
“The goal is to make UniCal clean, safe and healthy for learning,” he added.
President of the Students Union Government, Emmanuel Obo, also attributed the practice to poor toilet infrastructure and behavioural habits carried over from home.
Similarly, the Business Director of the Entrepreneurship Development Centre, UniCal, Prof. Markson Aniedi-Abasi, urged students to embrace proper sanitation habits and ensure toilets are properly used and maintained.
“With this advocacy, students should learn to use toilets properly and keep them clean. Management has made efforts to improve hostel comfort and provide toilet facilities,” he said.
He further called on students to desist from defecating in open spaces and become ambassadors of cleanliness within hostels and lecture environments.
