BACKPACK Hand-washing Day: Rotary e-Club mentors 500 pupils in Abuja

As Nigeria joins the world to mark the Global Hand-washing Day, the Rotary e-Club Nigeria 9125 in Abuja has taken its campaign to a Local Education Authority Primary School at Jabi where over 500 pupils where taught the art of proper hand-washing.

President of the e-Club, Rotarian Patience Akpan said, “Today, October 15, is Global Hand washing Day, an annual global advocacy day dedicated to increasing awareness and understanding about the importance of hand washing with soap as an easy, effective, and affordable way to prevent diseases.

“The Rotary e-Club of Nigeria 9125 is particularly concerned that this school with a population of over 500 pupils doesn’t have good facilities for children to wash their hands after defecating or playing.”

She called on pupils and the school officials to help teach how to wash hands with soap or ash after using toilets and before eating. “Let us encourage this habit at home, school and everywhere,” Patience advised.

The Head Teacher, Mrs Babakogi Mercy assured the Club that the practice will continue by engaging pupils to wash their hands daily across the classes.

“After this programme, we will continue to ensure that it is put into practice by providing the buckets, soap, towels and sanitisers in each of the classes and have them practice the art of proper hand-washing always,” she said.

A pupil in Primary five, Christiana Luka said she is happy to see grown up think so much about young ones. “I thank them for coming to teach us how to wash our hands. I will want them to come here again and teach another thing so we can also enrich our skills.”