Nestle Enhances Hygiene Standards in Ogun State Schools Through Water and Sanitation Facilities

A wave of jubilation enveloped LG Primary School, Adie Owe, in Ado-Odo-Ota Local Government of Ogun State as Nestlé Nigeria PLC inaugurated water and sanitation facilities, a vital addition to the community’s educational infrastructure.

This development, part of Nestlé for Healthier Kids (N4HK), underscores the company’s commitment to comprehensive health education and community development.

LG Primary School Adie Owe is a proud beneficiary of N4HK, a school-based nutrition and health education program emphasizing four key pillars: Healthy Nutrition, Healthy Hydration, Physical Activity, and Hygiene. Recognizing the significance of hygiene within this program and understanding the challenges associated with its practice without basic water and sanitation facilities, Nestlé’s investment in these facilities demonstrates a holistic approach to health education and a dedication to improving the quality of life in communities.

During the inauguration event, Victoria Uwadoka, Nestlé Nigeria’s Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Manager, highlighted the importance of maintaining proper hygiene standards within the N4HK framework. She stated, “At Nestlé, we recognize that maintaining appropriate hygiene standards and practices, one of the pillars of N4HK, is very difficult in the absence of basic water and sanitation facilities.”

The event marked the commissioning of facilities in LG Primary School Adie Owe, contributing to Nestlé’s broader initiative in Ogun State. Uwadoka stated, “In Ogun State alone, we have completed and commissioned facilities in ten schools, serving 4,000 learners and educators as well as members of the immediate communities.”

Emphasizing the significance of the initiative, she added, “The commissioning today is very significant as it is one more achievement towards our resolve to make access to water a reality in every school within the individuals, including educators, learners in the school, and several families within the community. The N4HK program aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG-6), ensuring availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.”

The importance of water and sanitation services is paramount, especially considering their impact on health, well-being, and overall development. Issues related to water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) can contribute to health risks, school absenteeism, and malnutrition. As highlighted in SDG-6, ensuring universal access to safe drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene is a global imperative.

The World Bank estimates that a substantial number of Nigerians lack access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation facilities. Nestlé’s initiative stands as a noteworthy step towards addressing these challenges, fostering community health, and contributing to the realization of Sustainable Development Goals in Nigeria.