Today, the 19th day of November annually is a day set aside globally as the international men’s day. It is a day when over eighty nations including Nigeria promote and appreciate the male gender.
This recognition has its origin traced to the 90s with the objective of promoting positive male role models in the society.
It is used to foster dialogue about issues affecting men which include mental health, parental alienation, homelessness, suicide, violence, and abuse of all sorts. It is an awareness day to promote men’s general wellbeing, their need for spiritual growth, emotional, social, and physical health.
19th November is a day to show love and appreciation to men all over the world for their unquantifiable contributions and achievements in children’s upbringing which translates to happy homes, families, marriages, communities, states, nations and the entire globe.
19th November is also used to commemorate World Sanitation Day or World Toilet Day which lays emphasis on the urgent need to end open defecation. Campaigns to raise awareness towards the importance of safe sanitation and healthy environment is paramount
as recommended by the World Health Organization.
Many persons especially those living below the poverty line have no access to toilet facilities and with Nigeria accounting for about twelve percent of World Poverty index, it is clear that open defecation remains a mounting challenge for the country. It calls for well meaning individuals, associations and governments at all levels to intensify efforts at increasing access to toilet facilities and invariably ending open defecation.
The World Health Organization teaches that a safely managed toilet with good sanitation guarantees protection of our ground water.
Fortunately, Governor Chukwuma Soludo is proactive in his vision to achieve a clean, green, healthy and prosperous Anambra State. He has matched his vision with action in efforts to revitalize nearly seventy waterworks across the state. Access to water is the first step to fulfilling the sanitation mandate and ending open defecation. Truly, Anambra State under the Solution government is on track to realize these goals.
November 19 is indeed a great day as it is a day where we seek to find solutions to society’s important needs. The wellbeing and wellness of men on one hand and safe environment guaranteed through access to water, end to open defecation and proper sanitation are cardinal societal components that will guarantee a harmonious society.
It is, therefore, a no coincidence that we will also celebrate the birthday anniversary of the Deputy Governor of Anambra State, Dr Gilbert Onyekachukwu Ibezim, Knight of Saint Paul today. Dr. Ibezim has lived a life of public service right from his days at the Ministry of Defence. He has served Anambra State in different capacities in the last eight years. He was at different times the Special Adviser to the Governor on Youth Empowerment; on Youth Mobilization, and on Indigenous Medicine. He was also the Executive Director, Anambra State Agency for the Control of AIDS (ANSACA) and Managing Director, Anambra State Oxygen Plant. In all these assigments, he brought his A-game to play in delivering public service reforms that engendered positive changes and development of Anambra state. He was never found wanting in his responsibilities. Surfice it to say that he delivered conscientiously.
Today, Dr. Ibezim is supporting Prof. Chukwuma Soludo in his vision to give Ndị Anambra a livable and prosperous homeland.
We pray to God to continue to shower his wisdom and grace on Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim as he celebrates today. We pray that the almighty God gives him a renewed vigour to continue to serve Ndi Anambra passionately.
Happy Birthday Eze Ụmụ Okolobia! Happy Birthday Mr Deputy Governor!
Written by CHIOMA NWAMAH
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