Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria - Dr. Oyeniyi Oluwashogo Seun, an Ambassador for Peace, took the Global Handwashing Day campaign, Oct. 15 each year, to two schools in Ogun State where he personally guided pupils to wash their hands with soap. The campaign came at a time when Nigeria is facing a serious health challenge with the threat of the Ebola virus.
With the determination to inspire pupils to wash their hands while in school and at home, Dr. Oyeniyi got approval to visit schools and engage the children. The two schools visited were Onward Children School in Kuforiji Olubi, Abeokuta and Folbol Royal School in Adigbe.
At the two schools in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Dr. Oyeniyi inspired the commemoration of hand washing with soap among the school children. As a professional emcee, comedian, youth advocate and also a UPF Ambassador for Peace, he marked this special day by visiting some schools in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria, to promote the culture of hand washing with soap.
He spoke to the children about the importance of hand washing and shared some basic lessons of hand washing including wash your hands when dirty and before eating, do not cough into your hands, and do not sneeze into your hands, among others.
He also charged the pupils to be peaceful and obey their teachers so they can grow as responsible citizens of the country.
The session was fun, interactive and highly educational. He demonstrated to the kids how to wash their hands properly and the kids also had a practical session of hand washing with soap and water.
The Ambassador for Peace also donated water storage bowls, kettles, soaps, wash basins and toilet rolls to the schools. The teachers and the pupils of the schools visited were grateful for the kind gesture of Dr. Shogo and the UPF Ambassador for Peace for initiating the idea.
The pupils pledged to continue washing their hands every day and are looking forward to welcoming more Ambassadors for Peace during the next year’s hand washing day. They all sang the song “Cleanliness Is Next to Godliness,” and all pledge to wash their hands every day as clean pupils.
Note: The Global Handwashing Day campaign was initiated in 2008 as part of the UN World Water Week to reduce childhood mortality rates related to respiratory and diarrheal diseases by introducing simple behavioral changes - hand washing with soap. This simple, accessible action can, according to research, reduce the rate of morality from these diseases by almost 50 per cent.