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By Seyi Babalola
As the world commemorates Global Handwashing Day, the Wellbeing Foundation Africa (WBFA), in partnership with Dettol Nigeria, has taken its hygiene awareness campaign to the Ijora community in Lagos, urging collective action against preventable diseases.
Global Handwashing Day is observed annually October 15 to promote one of the simplest, most cost-effective, and powerful ways to prevent disease, washing hands with soap and water, under the theme: “Be a Handwashing Hero,” brought together pupils, parents, teachers, and community leaders for a hands-on awareness exercise focused on proper handwashing techniques.
Speaking at the event, Director of Programming & Reporting at WBFA, Dr. Osinachi Onyeoziri, expressed gratitude to His Royal Highness and the leadership of Ijora Kingdom for their unwavering support and hospitality. He described their endorsement of the initiative as a reflection of true leadership and a commitment to community health.
Founded in 2004, WBFA is dedicated to improving the health and wellbeing of women, children, and communities across Africa.
According to Onyeoziri, the foundation has reached over 400,000 individuals with hygiene education including 280,000 students in more than 600 schools, over 113,000 women, and 47,000 community members across Lagos, Kwara, and Abuja.
“We are championing a movement that goes beyond just washing hands,” Onyeoziri said. “We are building a culture of self-care, community care, and sustainable health practices that will protect generations to come.”
He emphasised the urgency of the campaign, noting that millions of lives are lost each year to preventable diseases such as diarrhea and pneumonia, illnesses that could be avoided through proper hand hygiene. “Children are especially vulnerable, and in communities like Ijora, access to consistent hygiene facilities and knowledge remains a challenge we must address together,” he added.
Explaining the choice of Ijora for the campaign, Onyeoziri said, “We chose Ijora not because of its challenges, but because of its strength, resilience, and potential to become a model community for hygiene excellence.”
He called on attendees to leave the event as “Handwashing Heroes,” equipped with knowledge, tools, and a renewed commitment to improving hygiene in their homes, schools, and marketplaces.
Also speaking at the event, Brand Manager for Dettol Nigeria, Ayomide Bello, reinforced the brand’s commitment to public health. “At Dettol, we believe that good hygiene is more than a habit, it is a right, a responsibility, and a collective commitment.”
Reflecting on this year’s theme, Bello noted that everyone has the power to make a difference through the simple yet life-saving act of handwashing. Dettol’s Hygiene Quest curriculum aims to educate and inspire six million schoolchildren to adopt healthy hygiene habits, with goals to increase handwashing incidence by 20 per cent, reduce diarrhea cases by 10 per cent, and cut absenteeism by 10 per cent by 2030.
Bello said the 2024 impact data shows the initiative is on track to meet these targets. She urged Nigerians to work together toward a future where every household, school, and healthcare facility embraces hygiene as a daily norm.
Commenting on the Dettol Hygiene Quest (DHQ) programme, which has impacted over 400,000 individuals across schools, communities, and healthcare facilities, Chief Programmes Manager at WBFA, Kehinde Akinsola highlighted its success in reducing school absenteeism and infectious diseases affecting mothers and newborns.
Akinsola, emphasised on the importance of education in driving change. “These achievements remind us that when we empower people with knowledge, we strengthen the health of entire communities.
“As we leave here today, I call on all of us to be Handwashing Heroes in our schools, families, and communities. Let’s continue to raise our clean hands in pride, knowing that through simple, consistent hygiene actions, we are building a healthier and brighter Nigeria for all.”
