Calabar, March 30, 2026 (NAN) The Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Media Network, Cross River Chapter, on Monday, embarked on an awareness campaign on water hygiene and gender equity in Government Secondary School Anantigha, Calabar South.
The Coordinator, Mr Jeremiah Archibong, said that the initiative aimed to support hygiene education, and promote safe and healthy learning environment.
Archibong said that the campaign was part of the activities to commemorate the 2026 World Water Day, celebrated annually on March 22.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that during the event, the team distributed sanitary pads to female students as a way of supporting their menstrual hygiene.
The coordinator decried the poor state of water and sanitation facilities in the school in spite of its proximity to the local government council secretariat.
“This should be a great concern, it is a sad situation. If this school will suffer poor water and sanitation facilities, what then will happen to the schools in remote communities?” he said.
Also speaking, Mr Augustine Oyongha, a representative of the Borehole Drillers Association of Nigeria, decried the importance of protecting water sources and infrastructure.
Oyongha called for responsible usage and maintenance of boreholes, and
warned that contaminated water remained unsafe and risky to human health.
On her part, the team’s Secretary, Mrs Abenmire Williams, warned against the stigmatisation of girls that were passing through their mensural cycle.
Williams stated that such behaviour discouraged attendance in school, and participation in both social and academic activities”
She encouraged girls to speak confidently about menstrual health challenges with trusted adults such as teachers and parents.
The school’s Principal, Mrs Valarie Henshaw, commended the team for the outreach, describing it as “a timely support to both students and staff”
Henshaw lamented the lack of good source of water in the school, saying that a borehole facility in the school stopped working after two years of installation.
The principal urged stakeholders to support the school with safe and reliable water supply in order to improve the sanitation conditions in the school.
NAN reports that the water day is celebrated annually to highlight the importance of fresh water, and advocate for sustainable water management. (NAN)
