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Did author of Why do you wash your hands? See the future?

By Uchechi Nwakanma


Six months later, washing of hands tops the trend of discussions as the most effective preventive measure against a pandemic that has crashed financial earnings, caused countries to close borders, created an era of social distancing and isolation.


Google Doodle shows a well-illustrated video of how to wash hands properly. Just as Noah warned the people of the earth’s destruction, Olubunmi Aboderin Talabi spread the gospel of hand washing in 2019. Today, that gospel is one of the few things saving lives.




This came as a ‘usual’ news which we were all used to hearing. The launch was a success; sales were also a success but was the main message passed across received with open arms?


One would think that the deadly Ebola outbreak in 2014 and Why Do You Wash Your Hands? 


Book launch in 2019 served as sufficient reminder of the importance of hand washing.


Now, the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is on the rise as the world has been painted red with its spread, leaving only very few countries free from its claws.


Who would have ever thought that a global threat could be prevented with the simple act of hand washing?


The book is now the conveyor of the world’s current anthem: “Wash your Hands!” for everyone, everywhere.


 This is quite synonymous with the popular belief that life’s vital lessons can be learnt from children. In other words, the book is now a necessity for both children and adults.


No one is left behind in this fight for good health, the COVID-19 does not regard the age of its carriers/victims as a six-week-old baby was recently reported to have tested positive to the virus.


This pandemic does not deliberate on one’s literacy levels either, thankfully, Why Do You Wash Your Hands?


Is the first Nigerian children’s picture book to be published simultaneously in the four major languages spoken in Nigeria –  English, Yoruba, Igbo and Hausa – and the pictorial illustrations further enhance comprehension.



For the author who now seems like a soothsayer, she says “sometimes, the most effective solutions appear to be too obvious or too easy” according to her, “now it makes more sense why I was determined to publish the book when we did and doing so in Nigeria’s four major languages” she said.


Apparently she released the book in October 2019, even before the first case of COVID-19 was recorded in China.


Notwithstanding, this worldly experience has brought each individual to their feet in the stance of upholding good hygienic practices. Apparently, the past news of hundreds of children dying due to diseases communicable by hands was not enough. Minimal daily activities we all took for granted such as the shaking of hands, hugging or the slightest physical contact are now seen as a cause for alarm because of COVID-19. Rather than being alarmed, wash your hands at every reasonable opportunity.


Once again, wash your hands. Even after reading this.



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