Emeka Moses
Caption: Cross section of Cakasa Road Safety Club pupils from six primary schools in Mushin Local Government Area committing to becoming handwashing heroes at the 2026 Global Handwashing Day celebration by Cakasa Ebenezer Foundation in partnership with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) RS2.16 Ikeja Unit Command and Unit 70 Cakasa Special Marshal held recently at the New City Primary School Compound, Palm Avenue, Mushin, Lagos.
Cakasa Road Safety Club pupils from six primary schools in Mushin Local Government Area have been charged to become “handwashing heroes” and to teach at least five people each how to wash their hands properly. The call came at the 2026 Global Handwashing Day celebration held on Thursday, 15 October, at the New City Primary School Compound, Palm Avenue, Mushin.
The participating schools were New City, Palm Avenue, Oduduwa, Papa Ajao, Estate and Alaba primary schools. Organised by Cakasa Ebenezer Foundation in partnership with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) RS2.16 Ikeja Unit Command and Unit 70 Cakasa Special Marshal, the event marked this year’s global theme, Be a Handwashing Hero!, under the local sub-theme Safe Hands, Safe Roads.
FRSC officers from the RS2.16 Ikeja Unit Command at the event included Assistant Corps Commander Sunday Kolapo Olaniran, who was represented by Superintendent Route Commander O.O. Adedayo.
They were joined by Route Commander O.O. Adejumobi; SM Nsikak Isonguyo, Coordinator, Unit 70 Cakasa Special Marshal; who was represented by SM Richard Ehiaghe, and Sakirat Taiwo Ajani, School Manager, Layi Oyekanmi Primary School, and Chairperson of the Association of Primary Schools Headteachers of Nigeria (AOPSHON), Mushin Branch and Head Teachers of the participating schools. Road Safety Club coordinators from the participating schools also attended.
In her opening remarks, Mrs. Helen Egbe, Executive Director of Cakasa Ebenezer Foundation, told the pupils they could be heroes without wearing capes. All they needed, she said, was soap, clean water and the commitment to wash their hands properly.
“As members of the Cakasa Road Safety Club, you have learned how to protect lives on our roads,” she said. “Just as we protect ourselves from dangerous vehicles on the road, we must also protect ourselves from invisible enemies called germs.”
She warned that germs cause illnesses such as diarrhoea, cholera and other infections, which proper handwashing can help prevent. She urged the children to wash with soap and clean running water for at least 20 seconds, cleaning between the fingers, under the nails and around the thumbs. The key moments, she said, are before eating or handling food, after using the toilet, after playing or handling money, after coughing or sneezing, and on returning home from school.
Mrs. Egbe also called on teachers and school authorities to make soap and clean water available in schools every day. “Good hygiene must become a daily habit, not just a celebration,” she said.
The programme opened with the National Anthem and a welcome address by Mr. Felix Adeyemi, Head Teacher, New City Primary School, Mushin, followed by the introduction of participating schools, the FRSC and Unit 70 Cakasa Special Marshal.
Mr. Sanni Aliu and Ms. Yemisi Otubanjo, coordinators of Road Safety Clubs, delivered a short lecture on hand hygiene, followed by questions from the pupils. Palm Avenue Primary School and New City Primary School presented handwashing charts. Pupils then performed songs, a poem titled Mr. GERMS and a drama, GERM BUSTERS, before all schools joined a short parade led by Mr. Israel Omomoyesan the road safety club coordinator for Oduduwa Primary school.
