By Paul Williams
Non-governmental organisation Ese Usamali Foundation for Rural Development (EUFORDe) says community children continue to bear the brunt of global challenges, including insecurity, environmental degradation and lack of access to Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH).
EUFORDe’s executive director, Mercy Elemchukwu James, said: “The absence of water in schools and homes leads to devastating consequences: dehydration, waterborne diseases, low school attendance and poor menstrual hygiene. This lack of WASH acts as a risk multiplier, increasing children’s vulnerability.”
She said that to ameliorate the challenge, EUFORDe, in partnership with the Center for Gender Equity and Sustainable Development, Port Harcourt Mundial, Amaclare Connect and Development Initiative, FCEMCODE and CSACEFA, set up storytelling booths in six communities “to hear children tell short, personal stories about water struggles, wins and ideas at school.”
At a colourful event — the 2026 edition of EUFORDe’s annual talent hunt, tagged the ‘African Child Ambassador’ and held to commemorate the Day of the African Child — the best storytellers were selected.
The top three were Angel Kaosisochukwu Ahiakwo from Evangel Joy Citadel School, Marvelous Mbata from Erudite Future Glory Citadel, and Udom Esther Chizitaram from Glorious First Treasure Academy. Udom Esther Chizitaram emerged the winner and the 2026 African Child Ambassador; Angel placed second and Marvelous placed third. Prizes were awarded to the winners.
As part of the activities, hygiene kits were distributed to more than 50 children across the six communities.
Elemchukwu James called on the government to take decisive action to end the water deficit in schools. She highlighted EUFORDe’s recommendation that the “One School, One Water Source” policy be implemented to guarantee water access for every school, and urged domestication of the National Guidelines for WASH in Schools (2016) into enforceable law requiring functional water supply and separate toilets.
The foundation also advocated for a dedicated WASH-in-Schools budget line and recommended that UBEC and SUBEB withhold funds from local government areas that fail to comply with mandatory WASH standards.
“We commend Rivers State’s 2025 allocation to education — the highest in the South-South. With the state government’s commitment that education will be a major focus in 2026, our DAC findings offer timely data to help translate that priority into universal WASH access for children in all schools.
“Implement ‘One School, One Water Source’ as a measure to ensure there is water and water access in every school. Domesticate the National Guidelines for WASH in Schools 2016. Make it law that no school operates without functional water and separate toilets. UBEC/SUBEB should withhold funds from LGAs that do not comply,” she said.
Participants described the storytelling booths as an effective way to centre children’s voices in policy conversations.
