The Kwara State Government, North Central Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to intensify hand washing with soap, as it is a crucial way to maintain healthy habits, taking the enlightenment campaign across some selected schools in Ilorin.

The Kwara State First Lady, Amb. Olufolake AbdulRazaq, a Prof, stated this during the enlightenment campaign to commemorate 2023 Global Hand Washing Day, with the theme: “Clean Hands are Within Reach.”

“Hand washing is one of the most effective and cost-efficient ways to prevent ailments. It is not just about wetting our hands and rinsing them off quickly. It is a careful process that involves using soap, rubbing our palms, the backs of our hands, between our fingers, and under our nails,” she stated.

The First Lady, who was represented by the State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Abosede Olaitan Buraimoh, noted that it is part of the quest of this administration that everyone has access to clean water and soap, giving credence to the State Governor, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, for prioritizing hand washing with soap as crucial for maintaining community health both now and in the future.

Amb. AbdulRazaq restated the State Government's readiness to increase awareness and understanding of the importance of hand washing with soap as an easy, effective and affordable way to prevent diseases as well as save lives.

The First Lady encouraged students, parents and caregivers to make clean hands a healthy habit to keep themselves and their families safe, emphasising the universal importance of hand hygiene in preventing the spread of diseases.

“Hand washing is a seemingly common action, holds extraordinary significance when it comes to preventing the spread of diseases and ensuring the well-being of communities worldwide,” she stated.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Alhaji Musa Olarewaju Okanlawon explained that hand washing is a basic step in maintaining personal hygiene and preventing the spread of germs, adding that creating awareness on proper hand washing helps communities to stay healthy by reducing the number of people who get sick.

While appreciating the State government, the Principal, Government Day Secondary School, Adeta, llorin, Hajia Ishola Fausat Olusola, remarked that this year's theme calls for collective efforts to close the gaps in access and practice to achieve hand hygiene for all.

Soaps were distributed to the selected schools visited by the First Lady, namely: Bishop Smith Memorial College, G. R. A., Queen Elizabeth Secondary School, Taiwo and Government Day Secondary School, Adeta, all within llorin metropolis.