The First Lady of Oyo state, Engineer Tamunominini Makinde has urged students across the State to embrace regular and proper hand washing, saying it saves lives.
She also urged stakeholders to join hand to spread the news of hand washing to get rid of untimely death cause by diseases that might be contracted.
Speaking at Oba Akinbiyi Model school in Ibadan at an event to commemorate this year’s Global Hand Washing Day, Mrs. Makinde said regular and proper hand washing has potential to prevent infectious disease.
She emphasised importance of hand washing among students, saying hand washing is part of her efforts to promote hygiene and sanitation in Oyo State.
Mrs. Makinde’s advocacy for hand washing aligns with her previous initiatives focused on clean water, safe toilet facilities and menstrual hygiene to foster culture of cleanliness and health among residents, particularly children.
The Governor’s wife has been actively engaging with students and communities to raise awareness about the significance of hand washing.
As part of her ongoing efforts, Mrs. Makinde has been collaborating with schools, healthcare professionals and community leaders to promote hand washing practices and provide access to clean water and sanitation facilities.
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Her words: “We gather here this morning at Oba Akinbiyi Model School to sensitize ourselves to the important of regular and proper hand washing.
“Hand washing may appear to be very simple practice, but it is powerful practice that have the potential to save lives and prevent the spread of diseases.
“We may ask ourselves why should we wash our hands, we have to wash our hands to prevent the spread of germs and infection of diseases, such as diarrhoea, cholera, flu, ringworm and skin infections.
“Most of us often take hand washing for granted but in reality one of the most common ways for germs and powerful micro-organism to spread to part of our body is through our hands.
“We used our hands to touch surfaces, shake hands with people, clean our mouth, clean our face, eat food etc. So We must wash and keep our hands clean.
“As students washing your hands should be a constant daily routine especially after using the restroom before eating, after eating and after sneezing or coughing.
“To everyone here, especially our students, remember what you have learnt today, remember that clean your hands and clean hands are the first defense against sickness.
“Anytime you wash your hands, you protect yourself and those around you, it is a small action but it carry great power, the power to live a safe life.
“Washing your hand regularly and properly is healthy, when you are healthy, you will not miss school due to poor health.
“When you get home today, tell a friend, tell friends, tell your parents, siblings and neighbors that is important to always wash their hands properly and regularly.
“My dear boys and girls, you are not just expected to wash your hands regularly, you are expected to wash your hands properly by scrubbing all part of your hands including the back of your hands in between the fingers and under your nails.
“Always remember, by regular washing of your hands, we learnt one of the most effective way of safeguarding your hands and well-being, she said.
In his remarks, one of the students, Daniel Daramola proposed and incorporating hand washing education into school curriculum activities, such as during assembly periods in order for students to become aware of the proper techniques for washing their hands.
Other stakeholders enjoined the people to wash their hands to prevent the spread of germs and infections, such as diarrhea, cholera, flu, ringworm, and skin infections.
At the end of the program, Students and teachers received Goodie Bags Containing Liquid hand Soap, Hand Sanitizer, and a Towel for cleaning hands.
