Dignitaries at the sensitization programme organised for food and water vendors, as well as waste workers in Ikorodu, Lagos State on Wednesday, sponsored and funded by the Government of Japan as a collaboration under United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) Project 240236, in partnership with the Lagos State Government through Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA).
By Tunji Faleye
The Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) commenced a crucial awareness drive on Wednesday targeting food and water vendors, as well as waste workers in the Ikorodu area, to help prevent a cholera outbreak in Lagos State.
This emergency training initiative was sponsored and funded by the Government of Japan as a collaboration under United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) Project 240236, in partnership with the Lagos State Government through Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA).
Image credit: LASEPA
Dr. Babatunde Ajayi, General Manager of LASEPA, represented by Abdulwarees Solanke, Director of Research and Development, emphasized that the programme aims to strengthen the skills of informal food and water sellers in vulnerable flood-prone communities.
He said, “These stakeholders play critical roles regarding cholera outbreaks in our communities. It’s therefore, means that the informal food and water vendors and the waste management operators such as the waste pickers activities impacts public health, environmental sustainability and overall well-being of Lagosians.”
Dr. Ajayi also highlighted the state government’s ongoing efforts to address recent cholera outbreaks in Ikorodu and Badagry. These include enhanced disease monitoring, public education campaigns, improved sanitation measures, and free treatment services for those affected. Partnerships with various stakeholders are helping to manage the situation effectively.
Charles Uzoma, Field Coordinator for UNIDO, explained that the public awareness campaign is designed to arm informal vendors and waste workers with preventive tools and information against cholera, particularly given the increased risk caused by flooding and poor sanitation. He urged Lagos residents to be more conscious of drinking safe water and the harmful effects of indiscriminate waste disposal, which contaminates water sources during floods.
Representing the Ministry of Health, Director of Operations Adeyemo Beatrice, stressed that cholera is largely a disease of neglect and can be eradicated through proper hygiene and public education. “To defeat cholera, we must collaborate with government efforts and eliminate open defecation,” she said, adding, “The fight against cholera is a fight to save lives.”
Image credit: Image credit: LASEPA.
Dr. Hassan Sanuth, Director of Sanitation at the Lagos State Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, advised participants to adopt food safety practices, maintain personal hygiene, and ensure proper waste disposal as key steps in preventing cholera.
Haruna Mohammed of Labule Afrikana Ventures commended LASEPA for the sensitization effort, noting that such seminars are vital in educating food vendors on hygiene and disease prevention. He also appreciated LASEPA’s regular visits to their establishment for ongoing guidance.
Edeh Abraham, a Senior Secondary 2 student at United Senior High School, Ikorodu, expressed gratitude for the outreach, acknowledging the importance of prevention through maintaining a clean environment.
Cholera is an acute diarrheal infection caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae, spread through contaminated food or water.
It will be recalled that on June 9, 2024 about 15 people died as a result of cholera outbreak in Lagos State. Also, in May 2025, another cholera outbreak was reported particularly in the Zongo community of Badagry West LCDA, and about 54 confirmed cases were reported resulting in the death of 14 people.
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