Reckitt Benckiser Signs MoU With Ministry of Water Resources to Promote Hygiene in Nigeria

L-R: Minister of Water Resources, Suleiman Hussein Adamu, with the General Manager, RB West Africa, Dayanand Sriram, during the MoU signing between Dettol and Ministry of Water Resources on Thursday, March 14th 2019 for Dettol Clean Naija Program Launch in Abuja.

Nigeria currently boasts approximately 200 million people, and according to the United Nations, the country is projected to hit nearly 500 million by 2050 with children making up at least 40% of the population. These children, however, remain vulnerable to diseases.

Poor sanitation and hygiene problems mean that Nigeria also currently ranks fourth in the list of countries with the highest diarrhoeal disease deaths in the world. Diarrhea is indeed the second biggest killer of children in the populous West African country. The alarming statistics have called for urgent and effective measures to be taken to curb the menace.

Proper washing of hands, particularly with soap, has been identified as an effective way of preventing communicable diseases, but barely 16% of hospitals have access to basic hand washing facilities in sub-Saharan Africa.

After analyzing the situation, Reckitt Benckiser, the makers of leading antiseptic brand Dettol has partnered with the Federal Minister of Water Resources to proffer solution to the problem by recently signing an MoU in Abuja.

The event flagged off the Dettol Clean Naija program which is aimed at reducing diarrhoea-related child mortality in Nigeria in line with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals of 2030. It aims to reduce Malaria related deaths as well as open defecation menace in the country.

Mr Dayanand Sriram, the General Manager, RB West Africa said at the event that Dettol has for a long time been championing the cause for healthy habits. “For over 50 years we have made it our responsibility and purpose to help people live healthier lives and have happier homes. Dettol understands the importance of good hygiene and sanitation in the lives of Nigerians,” Sriram said.

Minister of Water Resources, Suleiman Hussein Adamu, General Manager, RB West Africa, Dayanand Sriram; Chairman, RB West Africa, Chief Olu Falomo, Category Manager, Health, RB Nigeria, Bayode Akanbi, and Government Officials during the MoU signing to flag off Dettol Clean Naija Program in Abuja on Thursday, March 14th 2019.

RB Nigeria, through its Dettol brand, already has a number of programs committed to tackling some of these issues, but it aims to bring all of its activities into one initiative that will educate and create awareness that will lead to a behavioral change among Nigerians.

Written at BHM for Dettol Clean Naija Campaign