Oyo unveils 20-man team to combat open defecation
By Adejayan Gbenga
The Oyo State Government on Thursday inaugurated a 20-member State Task Group on Sanitation (STGS) to eliminate open defecation and ensure equitable access to water, sanitation, and hygiene by 2028.
This was announced by the Deputy Governor, Barr. Bayo Lawal, who inaugurated the group on April 24, 2025, at the House of Chiefs, Secretariat, Ibadan.
Represented by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Prince Dotun Oyelade, the Deputy Governor stated that the group, chaired by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Olanike Adeyemo, will address sanitation gaps in the state and work to end open defecation in Oyo State by the 2028 target.
He charged the task group to intensify public awareness campaigns, especially in public facilities, on the importance of owning and maintaining basic sanitation infrastructure.
In his welcome address, the Chairman of the Oyo State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (OYORUWASSA), Alhaji Babalola Afobaje, said the inauguration of the task group would significantly enhance sanitation and hygiene activities across the state.
He noted that, according to a 2021 survey conducted by the Water Sanitation and Hygiene National Outcome Routine Mapping (WASHNORM), Oyo State previously ranked among the worst in terms of open defecation prevalence.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Oyo State House of Assembly Committee on Environment, Ecology and Water Resources, Hon. Olorunpoto Cephas, reaffirmed the Assembly’s commitment to supporting the group’s mandate through enabling legislation, effective oversight, and advocacy.
Members of the task group include Mr. Omoyele Omofoyewa, Olalekan Isaac, Oyedele Oladayo, Rafiu Baasit, Mr. Obatowon, Mr. Abayomi Yusuff, Mrs. Aileru-Foster, Mr. Olamide Adeniji, Mr. Femi Amusan, Mr. Ramoni Afeez, Mr. Adedeji Sunday, Mrs. Adewole Deola, Mrs. Oloyede Abimbola, Mrs. Mustapha Haulat, Mrs. Oyewole Bukola, Pastor Marcus, Dr. Adio Olusegun, and Alhaja Aliu Jemilat, among others.
