Environmental Pollution And The Challenges Of Open Defecation: Implications For Health And International Image Of Nigeria

Abstract

Environmental pollution is not merely an issue of national economies but a global challenge that has affected nations negatively. Pollution is not only about oil pollution either on land or international waters, nor gas flaring; nor deposition of toxic or nuclear wastes on developing nations or dumping untreated water from industries into rivers or on land. However, defecation is an aspect of pollution that has captured international attention recently than before. It has come to be realized that defecation as an aspect of poor sanitation has affected the lives of many people the World over cause the death of thousands of children in Nigeria through environmental related diseases such as cholera, diarrhea, it is also responsible for stunted growth in children. The paper concludes that poor sanitation and defecation has impacted negatively on Nigerians lost of human dignity and well-being, young girls and women are vulnerable to rapes. People who defecate in bushes often times are beaten by scorpions and snakes which may result in deaths or heavy expenditures on hospital treatment. The paper recommends that Nigeria should prioritise investments in sanitation and develop appropriate interventions to end the menace. Nigeria has a road map thus to follow National Environmental Sanitation Policy, we need more environmental health officers to work at local government level as is the international practice. They are the foot soldiers to help pass the message and materials of sanitation down to the very grassroots who are most vulnerable.