In the bid to end open defecation in their community, mass communication students in Kwara State University (KWASU), Malete, have donated a self-funded toilet and water project worth N4 million.

The project is part of the requirements for a course, MAC 302, titled: “Development Communication”.

Speaking at the event, the HOD of Mass Communication, Dr Semiu Bello, said the event symbolised a core philosophy of development communication.

He said, “We tasked on what they can do to benefit their immediate community; they set out and discovered many men and women engaged in open defecation because of lack of toilets in Malete market.

“Initially, the students were afraid, but I assured them we can do it with their commitment and determination. The project costs N4m contributed among themselves. Many of them have learnt how to build a house through supervision despite not being a bricklayers.”

On his part, the Vice Chancellor (VC) of KWASU, Prof Mohammed Akanbi (SAN), said the project was one of the tripods KWASU was built on to encourage students to give back to society.

The VC, who was represented by the Director, Centre for Ecological and Environmental Management Study (CEEMS), Prof Sunday Awe, said it would curb open defecation associated with cholera, typhoid and hepatitis, among other diseases, and urged proper maintenance.

The students' team leader, AbdulMalik Adetola Lawal, said the project had shaped “our perspective on community development. Other institutions should emulate it to properly re-orientate the youths towards nation building.”

Highpoint of the event which was attended by residents, health officials and community leaders was the inauguration of a joint maintenance committee that comprised KWASU staff and residents.