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Sanitary Inspectors in Nigeria: The Era of the Wole-wole (PHOTOS)

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Sanitary inspectors—known in Yoruba as Wole-wole, literally “those who enter homes”—were among the most visible and powerful public health officials in colonial and early post-colonial Nigeria. Active from the early 1900s through the 1970s and beyond, they became symbols of both the state’s commitment to hygiene and the tensions that surrounded public health enforcement.

Early Origins and Role

The office of the sanitary inspector was established under British colonial rule in the early 20th century to curb the spread of infectious diseases in rapidly growing towns. Working alongside colonial medical officers, sanitary attendants (as they were first called) inspected homes, markets, schools, and public spaces to ensure that residents complied with sanitation laws. They monitored water storage, enforced proper waste disposal, and ensured that households maintained clean surroundings.

Authority and Public Perception

These inspectors wielded broad legal powers that allowed them to enter private homes without notice. They could confiscate items considered unhygienic and, when necessary, fine or prosecute offenders in colonial courts. Their surprise visits and strict enforcement quickly gave them a fearsome reputation. In popular memory, later generations even compared their authority to that of the much-feared Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), underscoring how intimidating their unannounced inspections could be.

Corruption and Controversies

With such extensive authority came opportunities for abuse. Records from the 1930s and 1940s in Western Nigeria describe cases of inspectors demanding bribes to overlook sanitation breaches. While these practices tarnished their image, sanitary inspectors nevertheless remained central to the control of epidemics and the promotion of urban hygiene.

Legacy and Impact

Despite the controversies, the Wole-wole were instrumental in reducing outbreaks of cholera, smallpox, malaria, and other infectious diseases. Their activities helped shape the foundation of Nigeria’s modern public health system and directly influenced the creation of today’s Environmental Health Officers, who continue to enforce sanitation standards.

The story of the Wole-wole captures the complexities of colonial public health: an ambitious campaign for cleaner, healthier cities that depended on a cadre of inspectors who inspired both respect and fear.

Sources

Akintoye, S. A. A History of the Yoruba People. Dakar: Amalion Publishing, 2010.

Akinyele, R. T. “Colonial Sanitary Reforms and Public Health in Nigeria.” Journal of African History 36, no. 2 (1995).

Environmental Health Officers Registration Council of Nigeria (EHORECON). “History of Environmental Health Practice in Nigeria.” Official website.

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Genevieve Nnaji slams viral tweet urging Igbo men to marry non-Igbo women

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Nollywood icon Genevieve Nnaji has fired off a sharp response after a man on X (formerly Twitter) advised Igbo men to stop marrying Igbo women and instead seek wives from other African countries.

The controversy began after a photo of a Rwandan woman said to be engaged to an Anambra man went viral.

Resharing the image, the user wrote, “Dear Igbo men, instead of marrying an Igbo woman who’ll falsely accuse you of r4ping your daughter, better look outside for a wife.

“Go to East Africa, especially Rwanda, and pick a damsel. They’re all over social media, and you can link up with them.”

Genevieve, who rarely comments on online drama, responded, “In other words, instead of checking yourself and taking accountability, go for the unsuspecting and carry on with your evil. Got it.”

Another user attempted to challenge her, claiming the original tweet was aimed at “false rape accusers” and that Genevieve was avoiding the real issue.

“His tweet was clearly against false rape accusers, but instead of holding the evil women accountable and demanding change, you chose to tweet this?”

But the actress hit back with equal clarity: “The same way a woman can’t tell an abusive man apart from a good one is the same way you shouldn’t say avoid all Igbo women. ‘Not all women’.”

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Don’t handle your family feud like I did, Phyna advises Imisi

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Reality TV star Phyna has offered words of encouragement to fellow Big Brother Naija winner Imisi amid a family feud between the latter and her mother.

In an X post on Monday, Phyna wrote,”To Imisi, @imisiofficial and to anyone walking through the same fire… I’m praying for your strength.

“My own experience broke me, but I’m slowly rising.

“And I’m rooting for you with everything in me, don’t handle it like I did, build strong and focus on you baby girl.”

The post comes against the backdrop of a family dispute in which Imisi’s mother accused her daughter of hatred and revealed the poor condition of the home where she currently lives, despite Imisi winning N150 million after her Big Brother victory.

Imisi replied in Yoruba,”This is why Aunty Debola said you should not show your face to the world. I can’t be saying all that now, you are in the midst of people. Just overlook everything and leave social media.

“Don’t worry, I will send you money to rent a new house. I am tired of all this drama. I am still recovering from the stress of Big Brother.

“Should I be facing another stress now? Please forgive me, I am your daughter.”

Recall Imisi’s mother has publicly expressed frustration on social media, saying she does not need her daughter’s money after being sidelined following the win.

She also blamed Imisi for recounting her childhood experiences, which she claims involve untrue allegations of parental neglect and sexual assault.

In a video, she showed the old house she currently resides in, saying she is content with her situation, a revelation that sparked online controversy.

In 2023, after Phyna’s BBNaija win, her father, Felix Otabor, revealed in an interview that he was distressed by his daughter’s actions following her BBNaija win.

Otabor said Phyna had asked him to stop working as a hearse driver and requested that he sell his cars, promising to improve the family’s life.

He said he later struggled financially after selling the vehicles, losing his business momentum and community position, and has not seen his daughter since her victory.

He described feeling sidelined while she enjoyed her wealth.

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Ned Never Slept Outside Because I Held Him Well In The Other Room – Regina Daniels

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Nollywood actress, Regina Daniels, has opened up about her marriage to her estranged husband, Senator Ned Nwoko.

It was reports that the embattled wife revealed why their seven-year relationship remained faithful despite his polygamous lifestyle.

In a reply to a comment on her Instagram page, Daniels said that during their years together, Nwoko never slept with other women outside their home because she held him well in the other room.

She wrote: “Yes i think he loved me but a toxic one! Because tell me why a polygamous man forgot what it meant to be in polygamy, except for the media.

“Just because it boosted his ego of being seen with multiple women which is easy by me because anyone that sees a man as an odogwu sees the wife as what? He basically had to beg that he share days at ours and other days with his other wives because they begged for his attention.

“Y’all should pls forget this yeye social media comparison because my ex man never slept outside one day in our 7 years of marriage. You know why? Because as a delta babe, I hold am well for the other room ladies use your skills that’s all men want actually!”

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