Residents of Aleita in the Abuja Municipal Area Council, have commended the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund, UNICEF, and its partners for providing an eco-friendly toilet facility at the Local Education Authority Primary School in their community.
Speaking at the inauguration, the head teacher at the school, Suleiman Gimba, described the project as a dream come true.
“When the NGOs first brought the idea, I thought it was not realisable, but thank God, today we have seen the reality; the toilet has been built, the water system is functional, and it was all done using plastic materials.
“This project will help us eradicate open defecation because our old toilets had completely collapsed,” he said.
Gimba commended UNICEF, RUWASA, and other implementing partners for their dedication, adding that the new facility would improve hygiene and learning conditions for pupils.
“We are very grateful to UNICEF and all stakeholders for making this project a reality today,” he said.
The chairman of the school’s Parent-Teacher Association, Sunday Makama, praised the initiative and noted the durability of the facility, which was constructed using sand-filled plastic bottles.
Saratu Zakwoyi, women’s leader of the Aleita community, expressed satisfaction with the project and its impact on children’s health and dignity, noting that the community would welcome the expansion of similar eco-friendly initiatives beyond the school.
Residents, school authorities, and parents echoed a shared message: with continued support from government agencies, local stakeholders, and UNICEF, sustainable sanitation and hygiene can be achieved across Nigerian schools and communities.
Aleita serves as a pilot community for the integrated open defecation-free and climate project.
