UPDATED: LASEPA, UNIDO, JAPAN INTENSIFY CAMPAIGN AGAINST CHOLERA IN LAGOS (PHOTOS)

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By: Sefiu Ajape

Train Informal Food, Water Vendors, Waste Workers on Outbreak Control

The Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), in partnership with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the Government of Japan, has commenced a training programme for informal food and water vendors aimed at curbing cholera outbreaks in flood-affected areas of the state.

The three-day event, which began on Tuesday, October 7 and will run till Thursday, October 9, 2025, is themed “Emergency Capacity Building of the Informal Food and Water Vendors and Waste Workers in Flood-Affected Lagos to Combat Cholera Outbreaks.”

Held at the Eco Bakery & Event Center, Egbeda, Lagos, the initiative is part of the UNIDO Project 240236, funded by the Government of Japan.

Speaking at the event on Wednesday, the General Manager of LASEPA, Dr. Babatunde Ajayi, represented by Engr. Olumuyiwa Taiwo, Head of Engineering Services, described cholera as “a bacterial disease causing diarrhea and dehydration, most especially in water.”

He said the agency partnered with UNIDO and the Government of Japan “to create awareness, to sensitize people, and to let people know how they can prevent themselves from having cholera.”

Ajayi emphasized that LASEPA’s core roles include environmental monitoring, water contamination investigation, and promoting safe food hygiene, urging participants to “carry this back to the community, to other market associations and other groups, so that this will extend to so many people, and all of us will be free from the disease called cholera.”

In his goodwill message, Mr. Charles Uzoma, UNIDO Field Coordinator, commended the collaboration, describing the project as “not only about compliance—it is about empowerment.”

“By equipping vendors and waste workers with the right knowledge and tools, we are strengthening community resilience, preventing cholera outbreaks, and promoting a healthier, more sustainable environment,” he said.

He also expressed appreciation to the Government of Japan for its support, noting that the training would “help protect lives, sustain livelihoods, and make Lagos a model for safe, inclusive, and sustainable food systems.”

On her part, Mrs. Adebayo Adedayo, Deputy Director, Environmental Sustainability, LASEPA, highlighted the progress of the project, stating that the agency has replicated the training across three local governments since April.

“What we are doing in this capacity building is a preventive measure to prevent the occurrence of cholera outbreak in flood-prone areas within Lagos State,” she said.

Adedayo explained that the project, which will run till the end of the year, focuses on building the capacity of food and water vendors, stressing the importance of “personal hygiene” and “general sanitation of the environment” as key preventive measures.

Similarly, Mr. Kayode Bello, Director, Alimosho Zonal Office, noted that the program combined sensitization and training for informal food and water vendors, waste workers, and community leaders.

He said, “We are trying to make sure that the grassroots are well sensitized in getting rid of cholera in their locality.”

Bello added that the training was conducted in English, Pidgin, Igbo, and Hausa to ensure inclusiveness, emphasizing the need for proper waste disposal and use of protective equipment.

According to him, “The government of Lagos State doesn’t want to keep spending resources treating preventable diseases. The money should go into infrastructural development like roads and schools.”

The training sessions, facilitated by LASEPA experts, covered key areas including Food safety and hygiene, Water safety and control, Waste management and public health, Cholera symptoms, transmission, and prevention.

Speaking with Hotjist at the event, one of the participants, Busayo Ademoyegun, described the training as “really helpful because, as we know, a clean environment leads to a healthy life.”

She urged fellow citizens to take cleanliness seriously, adding that “as small as washing your hands can actually help you stay away from diseases.”

She also called for “more publication” and consistency in public sensitization efforts.

The event was graced by several dignitaries, including the General Manager, Lagos State Waste Water Management Office (LASWAMO), Engr. Adefemi Afolabi, represented by Mr. Denasohin Olusegun; Mr. Olanrewaju Owoturo of the Lagos State Water Regulatory Commission (LASWARCO); and the Chairman, Alimosho LG Chapter of the Hygienic Water Producers Association of Nigeria (HWAPAN), Mr. Austin Abanum.

Others present were the Secretary-General, Association of Waste Management of Nigeria, Mr. Seyi Ademoyegun; the President, Master Bakers Association, Mr. Adewunmi Taiwo; secondary school students, and the Executive Chairman, Igando/Ikotun LCDA, Hon. Lasisi Akinsanya, represented by Mr. Aiyegbusi Aderemi.

See more photos from the event below: