By BellaNaija.com
In October, Premier Cool joined forces with PZ Cussons Foundation and United Purpose, to bring this year’s edition of the Global Handwashing Day to Nigeria. The annual celebration was themed ‘Clean Hands for All’ this year, as the aforementioned parties doubled down on their commitment to ensuring better health practices in rural and urban communities in the country. The activity climaxed with a national event which held in Abuja on October 15th, 2019.
The days leading up to the national event saw the brand embark on a school-sensitization tour, visiting a number of schools in different states across the country, which included Lagos, Cross River, Benue and the FCT Abuja to create awareness about the importance of constant handwashing with soap.
As part of the goal for this year’s campaign, about 60,000 children from 210 schools across the country were engaged. The children across the various schools and communities were empowered as ‘Hygiene Heroes’, handwashing promoters trained to inspire their schools, families to make handwashing a habit.
In Lagos, the event was attended by Prof. Eyitayo Lambo, Former Minister of Health and Chairman of the PZ Cussons Foundation; Dipo Dawodu, Finance Director- PZ Cussons Consumer; Abiola Laseinde, Head Corporate Services Africa, PZ Cussons Plc, Charles Nnochiri, Head of Marketing, PZ Cussons Consumer; and other key members of the PZ Cussons leadership and brand teams.
The team visited schools such as Dansol, Caleb, Mind Builders, and the Supreme Education Foundation. The events also included popular Nollywood actress Juliet Ibrahim, and Premier Cool’s Campaign Ambassador, Leo DaSilva, who were present to also educate the students on the importance of handwashing in protecting them against germ-related diseases.
Speaking at the event in Lagos, Professor Eyitayo Lambo, Chairman of the PZ Cussons Foundation, reiterated PZ Cussons’ commitment to enhancing health and hygiene in Nigeria and urged the students and Lagos residents, in general, to make handwashing with soap a habit.
Also speaking at the event was the Group Brand Development and Activation Manager, Personal Care, PZ Cussons, Charity Ilevbare-Adeniji who talked about the significance of the event and PZ Cussons’ commitments to a germ-free and healthier society.
“For the past five years, PZ Cussons has partnered successfully with United Purpose in increasing awareness and understanding about the importance of handwashing with soap as an easy, effective, and affordable way to prevent diseases and save lives. This is the sixth year running and we have always focused on other states such as Benue, Cross River, and Abuja. However this year, we decided to include our host state Lagos – as they say ‘Charity begins at home.’ Today, Premier Cool is leading the handwashing campaign and our newly improved soap is a perfect fit with its antibacterial properties that help keep you fresh and protected from many germ-related diseases. We cannot overemphasize the importance of handwashing with soap as a preventive method, therefore we will continue to sensitize as many people and communities as possible.” she said.
All activities during the week of the Global Handwashing Day culminated in a grand finale event which held in Abuja at the Chida International Hotel on October 15. The event had in attendance, a number of dignitaries and veteran artiste and Hygiene Ambassador, Sunny Neji, who entertained school children on a ‘Wash Your Hands O’ song and raised further awareness about handwashing with soap.
Global Handwashing Day is a global advocacy day dedicated to increasing awareness and understanding of the importance of handwashing with soap as an effective and affordable way to prevent diseases.
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