FCTA, CSHEEH MARKS GLOBAL HANDWASHING DAY, DONATES HYGIENE MATERIALS TO GWAGWALADA SCHOOL
By: Khadijat Kawunda
The Federal Capital Territory Administration and the Centre for School Health Education and Environmental Hygiene (CSHEEH) have called for stronger hand hygiene practices among schoolchildren as part of efforts to prevent infectious diseases, particularly amid ongoing public health concerns over diphtheria and Ebola outbreaks.
The call was made during the 2026 Global Handwashing Day commemoration held at Gado Nasko Science Primary School, Phase 1, Gwagwalada, Abuja, where the Centre also donated handwashing facilities and hygiene materials to promote sustained hand hygiene practices among pupils.
In his keynote address, the Executive Secretary of Education, Gwagwalada Area Council, Dr. Mamman Musa, emphasised the importance of instilling proper hygiene habits in children, describing them as important agents of behavioural change who can influence healthy practices in their homes and communities.
He called for collective efforts to make handwashing a regular practice and sustain a clean and healthy school environment.
Dr. Musa further emphasised the Area Council’s commitment to sustaining the initiative, noting that the handwashing routine would be extended to other schools across Gwagwalada Area Council to promote consistent hygiene practices among pupils and ensure that more children benefit from the campaign.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Director of CSHEEH, Dr. Folasade Momoh, said the commemoration was particularly significant in view of the diphtheria and recent Ebola outbreaks, noting that proper hand hygiene remains an important component of infection prevention.
She described this year’s global theme, “Be a Handwashing Hero,” as a call to action, urging pupils, teachers and parents to take responsibility for practising proper handwashing and encouraging others to do the same. She added that schoolchildren were deliberately chosen for the campaign because of their potential to influence positive hygiene practices beyond the classroom.
Dr. Momoh appreciated the FCTA and the management and staff of Gado Nasko Science Primary School, the FCT Public Health Department, particularly the Health Promotion and Education Division, media partners and other supporters for their contributions to the successful commemoration
She urged participants to take the lessons beyond the school environment by promoting proper handwashing in their homes and communities, stressing that clean hands save lives.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Headteacher of Gado Nasko Science Primary School, Mr. Friday Abah, appreciated CSHEEH for its technical guidance and educational materials, assuring that the school management would sustain the initiative by providing handwashing stations, soap and clean water.
A practical demonstration of proper handwashing techniques conducted by Mrs. Deborah Azeez of the Health Promotion and Education Division, FCT Public Health Department.
During the demonstration, Mrs. Azeez guided pupils through the correct steps for effective handwashing with soap and running water, providing practical knowledge on maintaining proper hand hygiene and preventing the spread of infections.
As part of efforts to sustain the campaign, CSHEEH, with support from its partners, donated handwashing stands, buckets with taps, receptacle bowls, liquid soap and Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials to the school. The nominated Handwashing Heroes were also decorated as ambassadors to promote proper hygiene practices among their peers, families and communities.
Activities at the commemoration included a health talk on the importance and benefits of regular handwashing and and the decoration of nominated Handwashing Heroes drawn from the school and the community.
Global Handwashing Day is observed annually on October 15 to promote awareness of the importance of handwashing with soap and clean water in preventing diseases and improving public health.
