Govt commends Reckitt’s hygiene advocacy

The Federal Government has commended Reckitt for its dedication and outstanding contributions to Nigeria’s Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene sector, as it presented an award to the firm for this feat.

The award was presented by the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, Mr Richard Pheelangwah, on behalf of the Minister, Prof. Joseph  Utsev, during the 2024 Global Handwashing Day Federal Government commemoration event in Abuja recently.

According to a statement, this recognition highlights Reckitt’s partnership with the ministry in advocating for good hygiene practices in the country and their impactful WASH initiatives, particularly through its flagship brands, Dettol and Harpic.

It noted that in 2024, Dettol’s Hygiene Quest programme directly engaged over 250,000 individuals, including schoolchildren, pregnant and lactating mothers, and community members, while indirectly reaching an additional two million people.

It further mentioned that the programme played a pivotal role in promoting life-saving handwashing practices across Nigeria, aligning with global efforts to combat preventable diseases.

The statement mentioned that since 2013, Dettol has directly educated over six million children and four million mothers with Its hygiene education programs.

On the sanitation front, Reckitt stated that Harpic has been a key player in advocating for improved sanitation practices, especially in line with Sustainable Development Goal 6, which aims to ensure access to safe water and sanitation for all by 2030.

It further mentioned that Harpic has collaborated with Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation and Lagos State’s Ministry of Environment on initiatives like “World Toilet Day” to raise awareness of the harms of open defecation and tackle the nation’s sanitation challenges.

Speaking on the recognition, the Head of External Affairs, Media and Partnerships at Reckitt Sub-Saharan Africa, Cassandra Uzo-Ogbugh, said, “This award speaks to the incredible work Reckitt has done in Nigeria to improve hygiene practices, especially in underserved communities.

“We are honoured to collaborate with the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and our partners in this vital mission. Every effort to instill proper hygiene and sanitation habits is a step towards a healthier Nigeria.

“Reckitt, dedicated to a healthier, cleaner Nigeria, sees this award as both a recognition of its achievements and an inspiration for ongoing efforts. Together with partners, it envisions a future where clean water, sanitation, and hygiene education are accessible to every Nigerian.”