By Abdullahi Lukman
The Federal Government has urged Nigerians to protect forests, rivers and other water ecosystems, warning that their degradation poses a threat to water security, food production, livelihoods and sustainable development.
The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr. Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, FNSE, made the call on Monday during activities marking World Rivers Day in Abuja.
The event, organised by the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, was held under the theme, “No Forests, No Rivers; No Water, No Life.” It featured a media briefing and a symbolic river-cleaning and riverside memorial tree-planting exercise at Wupa River, Gbesa Community.
Utsev said Nigeria’s rivers were facing increasing threats from pollution, indiscriminate waste disposal, urbanisation, erosion, sand mining and climate change.
According to him, rivers are essential to agriculture, food security, domestic and industrial activities, livelihoods and biodiversity, making their protection critical to the country’s development.
He said the ministry would continue to promote Integrated Water Resources Management, watershed protection and improved water-quality monitoring, while strengthening cooperation among governments, communities, development partners, the private sector and civil society.
The minister also highlighted the connection between sanitation and healthy waterways, revealing that 179 Local Government Areas had been validated as Open Defecation Free, while more than 5,238 public sanitation facilities had been constructed nationwide under the Clean Nigeria Campaign: Use the Toilet programme.
Utsev urged Nigerians, especially youths and the media, to support efforts to end open defecation, reduce pollution, protect forests and wetlands, and promote responsible water and sanitation practices.
Earlier, the Director Overseeing the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Engr. Ali Ibrahim Dallah, FNSE, said the theme of the celebration underscored the relationship between forests, rivers and sustainable water resources.
Dallah said the selection of Wupa River for the event demonstrated the need for practical measures to restore and protect Nigeria’s water bodies.
He stressed that safeguarding the nation’s rivers required collective action by government institutions, communities and other stakeholders.
The Director of River Basin Operations and Inspectorate, Engr. Christy Oduh, expressed appreciation to the minister, senior ministry officials, heads of River Basin Development Authorities and other stakeholders for their participation in the commemoration.
