By Atoyebi Nike
Students of Government Day Junior Secondary School, Lugeere, were recently given a timely lesson on personal hygiene, courtesy of members of the Education and ICT Community Development Service (CDS) group of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
The sensitisation programme, held with a focus on Junior Secondary School 3 (JSS3) students, aimed to raise awareness on hygiene practices essential during puberty and adolescence. The event featured separate sessions for male and female students to encourage openness and ensure discussions were tailored to their respective experiences.
Leading the female session, Corps Member Khadijat spoke on body odor and food hygiene, using everyday scenarios to drive her message home. She encouraged students to maintain clean hair, trim their nails regularly, and bathe twice daily using clean towels and other personal care materials.
During the interactive session, one of the female students confidently defined body odor as “the unpleasant smell coming from the body” and advised her peers to improve their hygiene routines to avoid embarrassment and health issues.
Male Corps Members took charge of the boys’ session, highlighting the importance of cleanliness as a part of healthy living. They addressed practical hygiene habits and the social benefits of staying clean, especially during adolescence.
“Food hygiene reduces food contamination,” a Corps Member told the students, urging them to ensure that meals are prepared in sanitary environments and consumed from clean sources.
Other topics discussed included oral hygiene, foot care, and menstrual hygiene. Corps Member Elizabeth gave a practical demonstration on how to use sanitary pads and track menstrual cycles, ensuring the girls were equipped with the knowledge to manage their periods confidently and safely.
The programme concluded with gratitude from school authorities. “Thank you, Corps Members, for choosing our school,” said the school principal, who praised the group for their community service and youth engagement efforts.
The initiative reflects NYSC’s ongoing commitment to community development through education, health outreach, and social awareness, especially among Nigeria’s young population.
