The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) has issued an urgent flood warning to communities along the River Benue and River Niger, following significant rises in water levels due to continuous rainfall.
River Niger
In a statement on Thursday, October 17, 2024, NIHSA’s Director General, Umar Mohammed, urged residents near the riverbanks to evacuate, as water levels in the River Benue have reached critical points.
He noted that water gauge data from key stations such as Lokoja, Umaisha, Makurdi, and Ibbi show consistently high levels, exceeding 9 meters between October 9 and October 15.
“The map shows critical flood-prone zones across Nigeria, particularly around stations along the River Benue and River Niger.
“Makurdi, in particular, has recorded dangerously high-water levels, with Lokoja and other stations also nearing flood thresholds,” Mohammed stated.
The agency also warned that the management of the Kainji and Jebba Dams are closely monitoring and controlling water releases to prevent downstream flooding along the Niger.
Mohammed called for full cooperation with emergency response agencies and advised citizens to move to safer areas to avoid the worsening effects of the floods as rainfall continues.
He emphasised the need for collective efforts to build resilience against flooding, which had become an annual challenge for many communities in Nigeria.
International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director, Kristalina Georgieva, on Thursday, October 17, 2024, hailed China’s efforts in pursuing its climate goals, highlighting the country’s rapid progress propelled by sound policies.
International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director, Kristalina Georgieva, addressing the 2024 ESG Global Leaders Conference in China via video link
“China remains strongly committed to its climate goals,’’ she told the 2024 ESG (environmental, social and governance) Global Leaders Conference via video link.
Georgieva said that China’s policies, including the emissions trading scheme, made reaching these goals easier while also raising revenues.
She said that the Resilience and Sustainability Trust (RST) established by the IMF has already mobilised $46 billion in support of climate policies among IMF members.
The RST was launched in 2022 to help vulnerable countries deal with climate change and other challenges.
“I would like to take the opportunity to thank China for its contribution to the RST,’’ she added.
The 2024 ESG Global Leaders Conference is being held in Shanghai, China, from Oct. 16 to 18, attracting heads of international organisations and industry leaders, as well as environmental experts.
The Lagos State Government is partnering the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) for the 18th “Walk for Nature”, to promote nature conservation.
Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tokunbo Wahab
The 2024 edition of the ‘Walk for Nature’ is scheduled for Saturday, October 19.
The Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tokunbo Wahab, at a joint news conference on Wednesday, October 15, reiterated the state government’s mandate to plant one million trees in 12 months.
Wahab said the gesture was geared towards nature conservation and improving the quality of lives of Lagosians.
Wahab said the government would not focus only on tree planting but a sustainable policy that supports the mandate.
He explained that the walk aims at promoting a healthy lifestyle and improve physical fitness of the participants.
He added that the NCF had been collaborating with the state government since 2008.
According to him, the theme of the 2024 walk: “Land Restoration, Desertification and Drought Resilience,” with the slogan – Our land, our future generation restoration, is apt.
He said that theme was in tandem with the tree planting mandate of the state.
“I will like to re-emphasise to our people that greening is to conserve the environment and it is for the future.
“Hence we believe that a million trees in 12 months is not too much; it is a long target but we believe it is achievable,” Wahab said.
The commissioner said the collaboration with the NCF has been promoting environmental awareness and advocacy on conservation matters in the state.
He said the benefits derivable from the programme include but not limited to showing concerns and raising awareness in conservation matters.
He explained that the programme over the years has continued to create awareness and sensitise Lagosians on the importance of nature conservation.
He added other benefits as promotion of biodiversity as well as increasing the environmental health of the state through reduction of vehicular emission.
Wahab said the event over the years brought about a great deal of consciousness amongst Lagosians on the Island.
“I, therefore, invite you all to join us and participate in this year’s exercise.
“This year’s programme will be commemorated with a 3km walk that will take off from Onikan Stadium, Onikan Lagos at 7: 15a.m.,” Wahab said.
In his remarks, the Director–General of the NCF, Dr Joseph Onoja, expressed confidence that the collaboration with the Lagos State Government had yielded a positive reorientation.
Onoja said that the collaboration enhanced the advocacy for nature conservation.
While referencing the United Nations, Onoja said that we were in the decade of eco-system restoration.
He stressed the urgency to draw peoples’ attention to the reality of environmental conservation.
He urged Lagos residents to come out enmass on Saturday to join the 3km walk.
“Everyone must know that we live in precarious times and be ready to protect nature so that nature in turn can protect human existence,” Onoja said.
Dignitaries present at the briefing included the Permanent Secretary, Office of Environmental Services, Dr Omobolaji Gaji.
Others were the Permanent Secretary, Office of Drainage Services, Mr Mahamood Adegbite, top officials from the NCF and the ministry of environment.
As the world marks World Food Day on Wednesday, October 16, 2024, with the theme “Right to foods for a better life and a better future”, young people under the aegis of the Healthy Food Policy Youth Vanguard (HFPYV) have urged governments at all levels to strengthen nutritious food policies, food security and access in the interest of public health.
Sugar-sweetened beverages
They lamented that governments appeared to be standing by while food corporations endanger their well-being by relentlessly targeting them with unhealthy ultra-processed foods and drinks often high in sodium and sugar, the excessive consumption of which erodes health.
In a statement signed by Afeez Adedayo Bello on behalf of its communications team, HFPYV said: “Excessive consumption of sodium, sugary sweetened beverages (SSBs) and ultra-processed foods is worsening the country’s non-communicable diseases (NCDs) burden and dimming the prospects of Nigerian youths enjoying a healthy adulthood.
“Everywhere you turn on radio, TV and the internet, we are bombarded by adverts of these unhealthy products, disguised as healthy foods, all targeted at young people. Giant food corporations are given free rein to entice us, and sadly, many youths, unprotected by government regulations, fall prey and become addicted to these products to the detriment of their health.
“In Nigeria, life expectancy at birth is currently about 61.79 as of 2023, but many young Nigerians, unlike their forefathers, are at risk of not reaching this relatively low milestone because, among others, they are the victims of relentless exposure to harmful sugary drinks, and ultra-processed foods excessively high in sodium, produced by food corporations that prioritise profits over the health of their consumers.
“These corporations are so dominant that they are gradually pushing our natural, indigenous foods to the background and even changing our food culture. For instance, many young Nigerians are no longer familiar with and cannot prepare the dishes their grandparents ate. In another instance, ultra-processed foods, such as noodles, are now the donation of choice to natural disaster victims, while unhealthy sugar-laden drinks have replaced healthy indigenous drinks at social gatherings across the length and breadth of the country.”
The group argued that NCDs already place inordinate demands on Nigeria’s healthcare system, adding that the need to reduce unhealthy food intake “is highly relevant for improved health outcomes.”
The statement further referenced the danger of tobacco smoking and related products being aggressively marketed by the industry to young Nigerians.
It said: “Alarmingly, about five million young Nigerians are said to be addicted to tobacco smoking, further exposing a critical mass of the country’s demographics to debilitating NCDs.
“Despite this, the tobacco industry is relentlessly pushing out newer forms of tobacco products, including electronic cigarettes, so-called herbal cigarettes and heat-not-burn cigarettes, packaged to attract children and young people into the deadly habit of smoking or vaping.
“Apart from being an annual global observance that aims to raise awareness of the need to ensure food security and access to nutritious food for all, World Food Day also highlights the importance of sustainable agriculture and food production to address global food challenges. Every Nigerian child deserves to grow up well-nourished. But for millions of children across the country, hunger is their everyday reality.
“In light of this, we urge governments at all levels to re-align food and agricultural interventions, including climate policies, so there can be increased access to nutritious foods and food systems can be more healthy, equitable and sustainable.
“Furthermore, we advocate that agriculture budgets be allocated in ways that can stimulate the production of more nutritious foods, increase their availability and reduce their costs so that healthy diets can be affordable.
“At the same time, other healthy food policies like effective SSB tax, mandatory salt limits, and effective tobacco control measures need to complement these efforts to increase their impact by creating incentives and supportive environments for healthy diets.”
More than 2.8 billion people in the world cannot afford healthy diets, the Director-General of the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), Qu Dongyu, has said.
Director-General of FAO, Qu Dongyu
Dongyu made this known during the 2024 World Food Day global ceremony with the theme: “Right to ‘Foods’ for a Better Life and a Better Future”.
“Foods” in the theme stands for diversity, nutrition, affordability and safety.
Dongyu said that malnutrition in its various forms existed in all countries and socio-economic classes.
He added that even in high-income economies, people were choosing convenient and unhealthy foods.
The FAO director-general attributed the problems to challenges in agrifood systems where nutritious and diverse foods needed for healthy diets were insufficient and unaffordable.
According to him, food security translates to food availability, accessibility and affordability.
“With 730 million people facing hunger, it is clear that there is still much work to be done, and FAO’s mandate to ensure food security for all is as valid as ever.
“This World Food Day, I am calling on all to renew their commitments to building more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems that can nourish the world,” he said.
Dongyu said that immediate action must be taken to ensure the integrated ‘Four Betters’.
“For better production and better nutrition, governments should enable healthy diets for everyone by incentivising production and sale of more nutritious foods.
“They should also promote their consumption in a healthy way.
“For a better environment, we need to produce more with less; we need more quantity with more diverse foods with less agricultural inputs and less negative impacts on the environment.
“We need to produce enough diverse foods, while preserving biodiversity and protecting the planet,” he said.
Dongyu said that, for a better life, innovation such as information technology, Artificial Intelligence, biotechnology and digital agriculture were needed.
He also said that, to support governments, the private sector would need to shift from unhealthy foods and make a greater diversity of safe and nutritious foods available, affordable and appealing.
“They need to be our allies in addressing this global challenge. Governments cannot do it alone.
“We cannot build peaceful communities without addressing hunger and malnutrition,” Dongyu said.
He said that the younger generation had a vital role to play, adding that a food secure future without malnutrition was a human right.
Dongyu called for renewal of commitments to building efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems that would guarantee the right to good foods for all.
Stakeholders in the environment sector are reviewing Nigeria’s current disaster risk policies in order to enhance community resilience.
Participants at the Policy Review Workshop on Nigeria’s National Disaster Risk Management Plan, in Abuja
The stakeholders converged on Abuja at the Policy Review Workshop on Nigeria’s National Disaster Risk Management Plan.
Mr Abuh Steven, the National Network Coordinator, Climate and Sustainable Development Network (CSDevNet), who spoke at the workshop on Tuesday, October 15, 2024, said the event was aimed at reviewing Nigeria’s current disaster risk management policies.
Steven, who was represented by Mr. Paul Joseph, Programme Officer, CSDevNet, said that the review identified gaps and foster collaboration to enhance community resilience.
He emphasised the importance of collaboration to address climate-induced disasters which were on the increase due to climate change and rapid urbanisation.
Steven urged stakeholders to empower themselves with knowledge and tools for disaster preparedness, response and recovery to effectively respond to disasters.
Dr Iniobong Abiola-Awe, Director, Department of Climate Change, Federal Ministry of Environment, said that the unit had been engaging in disaster risk management issues, monitoring and early preparedness to disasters.
Abiola-Awe, who was represented by Mrs Yemi Bakare, Desk Officer, Risk Disaster Management, assured that the challenges of farming in some parts of the country would also be tackled to ensure food security in the country.
Mrs. Zubaida Umar, Director-General, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), said that climate resilience in Nigeria required a multifaceted approach disaster risk management.
Umar, who was represented by Mr. Tony Ephraim, Head, Monitoring, Evaluation, NEMA, said that, by priortising disaster risk management, the country could safeguard its communities.
Mr. Arome Agenyi, Executive Director, Centre for Learning and Development (CLD), said that the policy document was for effective disaster management in Nigeria.
Agenyi, who was represented by Dr Blessing Atunbi-Agboli, Research Fellow, CLD, said that civil society organisations would develop their institutional capacity to disaster risk management as well as establishing disaster management volunteers.
He, however, expressed worries that the problem of disaster management response initiative in the country was worst at the local government level.
European Union (EU) Energy Commissioner, Kadri Simson, has announced that the EU is ready for the possibility of no Russian gas flowing through Ukraine when the current transit contract expires.
European Union (EU) Energy Commissioner, Kadri Simson
“Central and Southeastern Europe have diversified their supply options to fully replace the 14 billion cubic meters of Russian gas still transiting via Ukraine,” Simson said at a press conference following a meeting of EU energy ministers.
Simson highlighted that both new and existing liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals have sufficient capacity, necessary transport infrastructure is in place, and multiple alternative supply routes are available for both LNG and pipeline imports.
The transit contract between Ukraine and Russia, allowing Russian gas to flow through Ukraine, is set to expire this year in December.
Since 2022, the EU has been actively reducing and halting its imports of Russian fossil fuels in response to the geopolitical situation.
In June this year, the Council of the EU adopted the 14th package of sanctions against Russia, which includes a ban on reloading services for Russian LNG in EU territories for transshipment to third countries, among other measures.
Inspite these efforts, Russian gas volumes to the EU have increased in recent months.
Simson attributed this rise to “temporary circumstances.”
The Energy Council meeting also addressed the divergence in wholesale electricity prices within the EU.
Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe have been grappling with high electricity prices in recent months, experiencing severe price spikes during peak hours, particularly in the evenings.
In a keynote address delivered at the Thousand Youth Summit on Agroecology and Food Systems held from October 14 to 16, 2024, in Addis Ababa, Nnimmo Bassey, Director, Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF), explores the role of indigenous knowledge in promoting resilient food systems in Africa
Nnimmo Bassey
Africa is at a crossroads to her food future with the stark choice being between adopting the industrial agriculture model (with modern agricultural biotechnology) or agreocology (regenerative agriculture). The former, in the guise of enhancing agricultural productivity and fostering economic development, locks in monocultures, loss of biodiversity, seed monopoly and seed/food colonialism; while the latter delivers increased productivity and economic resilience and nourishes and revives ecosystems, strengthens local economies, mitigates climate/environmental crises, and promotes food sovereignty.
We cannot afford to gamble with biosafety. To do so is to set ourselves up for intergenerational consequences; needless to mention the current food and climate crises that are being exacerbated. Genetic modification and other new technologies including gene editing and synthetic biology which are applied in agriculture require critical evaluation for their implication not just on human/animal health but also on ecosystems and on the rights of our people.
It has often been said that one of the ways to colonise a people is by dismantling or subverting their culture. This pathway is also effective for building dependency and disrupting the systems that organically secures the health of the populations. In terms of agricultural and food systems, the disruption is most effective when staple crops are targeted, appropriated through patenting and presented as mere merchandise. Food is fast becoming an instrument of control and power.
Science has been used as a cloak for the introduction of foods of dubious value and quality. The quest to solve perceived problems through artificial means introduces new problems, some of which can be intractable. Today we see unrelenting forces seeking to control our food and agricultural systems with attendant disregard for indigenous knowledge, natural cycles, biodiversity, and livelihoods of communities.
Food supply across Africa depends largely on the maintenance of a healthy and thriving biodiversity. Our farmers save, reproduce, and share seeds, understanding that these seeds encapsulate life. These communities engage in mixed cropping and harvest a mix of fruits, tubers and vegetables that yield foods that are rich and healthy, providing needed nutrition and building defenses against illnesses. They have a strong link to what is presented as food and harvests are never mechanical exercises. Moreover, many of our farmers do not see food production as mere business or for profit.
In Africa, food systems are deeply intertwined with cultural identity and community well-being. Indigenous communities have long practiced agriculture that is sustainable, adaptive, and resilient. Techniques such as intercropping, agroforestry, and the use of native seeds are not just methods of farming; they are a testament to a profound understanding of local environments and biodiversity.
Indigenous communities have safeguarded their native seeds, preserving not only agricultural biodiversity but also cultural heritage. These seeds are not just commodities; they are a symbol of identity, history, and resilience. By protecting and promoting these seeds, we empower communities to feed themselves and maintain their cultural practices. This is what food sovereignty is about.
This local knowledge held by indigenous peoples; that has been developed and passed down through generations is what is called indigenous knowledge. It encompasses not just farming techniques, but also cultural practices, spiritual beliefs, and an understanding of local ecosystems.
The erosion of indigenous knowledge due to urbanisation and globalisation has become a significant threat. Many young people are moving to cities, leaving behind traditional practices. Furthermore, indigenous communities often face marginalisation and exclusion from decision-making processes that affect their lands and resources.
It is time for our young people to seek out and apply time-tested and creative indigenous knowledge. It is time to advocate for policies that recognise and integrate indigenous knowledge under the umbrella of Agroecology into national and regional agricultural strategies with the involvement of indigenous peoples in the conversation, valuing their perspectives, and ensuring their voices are heard in the policy-making process.
We must not only create horizontal networks with peers but also deliberately build vertical networks with the older generations to encourage inter-generational knowledge transfer. We need to forge strategic partnerships with indigenous communities to learn of their age-long approaches to biodiversity conservation, seed saving, soil fertility improvement and others. It is important to integrate inter-generational learning in our training programmes and engagements. It is also our responsibility to document knowledge gained as this is useful not just for future reference but for advocacy.
The key to a resilient and food-secure future for Africa lies with the indigenous peoples. It is essential that young people recognise the value of indigenous knowledge and work together to integrate it into our food systems.
There is need for all stakeholders to prioritise efforts at promoting handwashing with soap and water as an easy, effective and affordable way to prevent diseases and save lives.
Evelyn Mere, WaterAid Nigeria Country Director
Evelyn Mere, Country Director for WaterAid Nigeria, made this submission on Tuesday, October 15, 2024, in her goodwill message at an event marking 2024 Global Handwashing Day in Oregun, Lagos.
Represented by Godfrey Iloha, WaterAid WASH Manager, Mere said: “Going by the report of WASHNORM in 2021, only 99% of heads of households have knowledge of at least two critical times for handwashing while only 8% could demonstrate proper handwashing.
“This wide disparity between knowledge and practice is the challenge we must work together to address. Recent outbreaks of cholera in several locations in the country continue to remind us of the importance of handwashing with soap and water, making the theme of this year’s Global Handwashing Day very relevant.”
According to her, “We need to take concrete action to ensure that everyone everywhere can practice handwashing, we must re-think our behavioural change approaches to nudge people to wash their hands as frequently as possible.
“It is not sufficient to provide hygiene facilities without providing the requisite education that would move people from awareness to action. The gap between knowledge and practice that must be closed urgently because the results we want to achieve lie therein,” she stressed.
In his remarks, Tokunbo Wahab, Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources in Lagos State, said: “This annual event serves as a crucial reminder of the simple yet profound act of handwashing, its significance in preventing the spread of diseases, and its impact on public health.”
The Commissioner, represented by Mrs. Folashade Adeyoju, Deputy Director, Office of Environmental Services, opined: “In Lagos, a bustling metropolis with a large and diverse population, the importance of handwashing cannot be overstated. Our city faces numerous challenges, including rapid urbanisation, overcrowding, and limited access to basic amenities in certain areas. These factors can create conditions conducive to the transmission of diseases.
“However, handwashing offers a powerful and accessible solution. By simply washing our hands with soap and water at critical times, such as before preparing food, after using the toilet, and after coughing or sneezing, we can significantly reduce the risk of contracting and spreading diseases like diarrhoea, cholera, and respiratory infections.
“Lagos State has made significant strides in promoting handwashing practices. We have implemented various initiatives, such public awareness campaigns, we have also integrated handwashing education into the curriculum of schools to ensure that our children learn the importance of this practice from a young age.
“I urge everyone to join us in this important endeavour. Let us commit to washing our hands regularly and encouraging others to do the same. By working together, we can create a healthier and more resilient Lagos for generations to come.”
In his remarks, Dr. Hakeem Babatunde Shittu, Chairman, Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (LASUBEB), talked about the importance of the theme of this year’s event.
Represented by Mr. Avoseh Stephen, Deputy Director, SUBEB, the Chairman noted that the theme – “Why Are Clean Hands Still Important” – highlights the importance of clean hands in preventing outbreaks and pandemics particularly in areas with limited access to healthcare, the answer lies in our collective responsibilities to safeguard public health, prevent infections and promote well-being.
“Furthermore, clean hands remain a fundamental defence against spread of infections, illnesses and harmful germs at homes, hospitals and most especially at schools because of the vulnerable nature of the pupils and students. Practicing handwashing with soap contributes better health outcome and improve learning environment for the learners.”
Highpoint of this year’s Global Handwashing Day was the lecture on “Health Talk on Hand Hygiene” delivered by a Health Educator, Mrs. Olaide Azeezat Ozoaru, where the students learnt the process of proper handwashing which includes wet, ladder, scrub, rinse and dry.
There are also presentations on handwashing competition from the participating schools such as Local Government Primary School One, Ijegun; Local Government Primary School Two, Ijegun; Community Primary School One, Ijegun; Community Primary School Two, Ijegun; Oregun Junior High School, Oregun; and Oregun Senior High School, Oregun, Lagos.
Dignitaries that graced the occasion include Evelyn Mere, Country Director for WaterAid Nigeria; Dr. Adebayo Alao, Water Aid Lagos Programme Lead; and Mr. Henry Adenigba, Executive Director, Humanity Family Foundation for Peace and Development (HUFFPED), among others.
The need for collaborative efforts to address the challenges of access to water was the core of discussions at the Nigeria Country Workshop on the Principles of Blue Community organised by the Africa Water Justice Network and the Ecumenical Water Network (EWN), Africa on Tuesday, October 15, 2024, in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, Nigeria.
L-R Coordinator of the Ecumenical Water Network (EWN) Africa, Reverend Kolade Fadahunsi; Professor Jacinta A. Opara, Vice Chancellor of the Dominican University, Ibadan (middle); and Executive Director of Renevlyn Development Initiative (RDI), Philip Jakpor (extreme right)
The event, which held at the Institute of Church and Society, Samonda in Ibadan, drew participants from civil society, youth groups, women leaders and faith-based groups who x-rayed the challenges of access to water and agreed to work together to challenge unjust laws that lead to the monopolisation of water by corporations.
In his welcome address, Coordinator of the Ecumenical Water Network (EWN) Africa, Reverend Kolade Fadahunsi, said the workshop was convened to educate communities and groups on the Blue Communities’ initiative and identify those that can be recruited to protect the human right to water.
Programme Executive/Coordinator, Ecumenical Water Network (EWN), Dinesh Suna, said that the EWN, based in Geneva, is an initiative of the World Council of Churches and comprises churches and church-related organisations that promote the preservation, responsible management and equitable distribution of water for all, based on the understanding that water is a gift from God, a common good and a fundamental human right.
Suna explained that, on October 25, 2016, the WCC became a Blue Community at a public event in Geneva and has since then been working with cities and villages, universities and schools, companies and NGO, faith-based organisations and trade unions that promote the human right to water and sanitation and to oppose privatization and commodification of water and its services.
The Blue Community was initiated by the Council of Canadians, a Canadian social and environmental justice organisation, and the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) in 2009 to help activists and decision-makers at the local level to stop the privatisation of municipal water services and promote the human right to water.
Suna said that the Blue Community work with governments, politicians, experts, journalists, activists and water operators to ensure water justice for all. The Blue Community network supports the Blue Communities in these efforts, helps to establish contacts among them and facilitates the exchange and cooperation.
Speaking on “Water Sustainability, Preservation and Protection”, Executive Director of Renevlyn Development Initiative (RDI), Philip Jakpor, said that the causes of water shortage include Geographic location, Climate change, Pollution, Unjust laws and policies that open the door for water grab and Lack of education/awareness on use of water.
Jakpor disclosed that in Nigeria there have been attempted water grabs through an International Monetary Fund (IFC) – Lagos Advisory Contract which would have paved the way for the privatisation of water resources in Lagos in 2013, a proposed Environment Law of Lagos State in 2017, and the National Water Resources Bill of 2018, among others, that stalled due to advocacy by civil society groups pushing for adoption of public sector solutions to Nigeria’s water crisis.
He revealed that the enablers of water privatisation include the World Bank and its business arm – the IFC, while the beneficiaries are corporations like Veolia and Suez that have merged into a single company, Abengoa, Metito and Nestle.
To confront the water grabs by the aforementioned corporations, he said that Blue Communities must advocate for the right legislation, public funding of water, communal efforts, education and personal efforts.
He also stressed the need for network building, street marches when the need arises, media advocacy for sensitisation and awareness targeting the masses, legislative advocacy which includes petitioning lawmakers and key agencies of government as well as use of social media which is a means of reaching and recruiting young people into water advocacy.
In her intervention, Professor Jacinta A. Opara, Vice Chancellor of the Dominican University, Ibadan, said that water is one of the most critical natural resources essential for life, economic growth, and environmental sustainability.
Professor Opara stressed that, as Nigeria’s population grows, the demand for water continues to increase, putting immense pressure on the country’s water resources, adding that climate change, industrialisation, and inadequate infrastructure have exacerbated water challenges in Nigeria.
She revealed that, in rural areas, the situation is even more precarious, with many communities relying on contaminated surface water, leading to waterborne diseases.
Listing the factors that contribute to the challenges in water sustainability in Nigeria, she said that pollution and environmental degradation tops them while other issues like poor Infrastructure and management closely follow. Others are climate change, deforestation and land use changes, and poor governance and regulatory frameworks.
The professor also itemised strategies for water preservation and protection which include strengthening water policies and regulations, improving water infrastructure, promoting integrated water resources management, community participation and education, and combating pollution and environmental degradation.
In his presentation on “Bottled Water’s Rising Toll on Planetary and Human Health”, Reverend Fadahunsi noted that approximately 1 million plastic bottles are purchased every minute globally, owing to the dependence of about 2 billion people on bottled water due to unsafe drinking water.
He lamented however that 80% of all bottled water plastics end in landfills with as much as 1.6 million tons of plastic waste also ending up in lakes, streams and rivers, and posing significant threat to the environment, public health, and social justice.
In his call to action, he said there was need for the Nigerian government to invest in reliable tap water infrastructure and promotion of tap water accessibility, and the need for restriction of single-use plastics.
He urged the participants to take the lead by shifting towards tap water consumption to address health, environmental, and social challenges.
