By Faridat Salifu

In recognition of World Water Day, NatureNews Africa organised a compelling webinar titled “Water for Peace,” uniting African researchers and experts to confront the urgent challenges of water scarcity and its profound implications for peace and sustainability.

The event organised on Friday, highlighted staggering statistics indicating that 2.2 billion individuals worldwide lack access to clean water.

The webinar further delved into the multifaceted dimensions of water management and its critical role in fostering harmony and societal well-being.

Guest speaker Idowu Olumide underscored the indispensable nature of water, emphasizing its potential to alleviate poverty, stimulate economic growth, and nurture social cohesion.

His sentiments were echoed by Honorable Aisha Barde, Commissioner for Environment and Climate Change in Taraba State, who championed sustainable water management as a cornerstone for achieving peace.

Dr. Chimere May Ohajinwa, principal consultant at c-circle research, shed light on the detrimental ramifications of water pollution, advocating for robust sewage systems and addressing the interplay between climate change and water scarcity.

Olumide Idowu, Executive Director of the International Climate Change Development Initiative Africa, delved into the intricacies of water infrastructure and debunked misconceptions surrounding individual boreholes as a panacea for water access.

Offering historical insights, Mr. Aliu Akoshile, Editor-in-Chief of NatureNews Africa, underscored the perils of unregulated water usage, citing past conflicts over water resources and stressing the imperative of regulatory frameworks to foster peace.

NatureNews Africa correspondents delved into the pivotal role of education and technology in water conservation efforts. They advocated for comprehensive awareness campaigns and the utilization of technological tools such as weather apps and artificial intelligence to mitigate water-related conflicts.

Elizabeth Orji, a webinar participant, championed the transformative potential of technology in alleviating water scarcity by providing real-time data to agricultural communities, thus curbing conflicts over water resources.

In his closing remarks, Pius Alabi, Chief Operating Officer of NatureNews Africa, issued a rallying call for individual responsibility in water conservation efforts, emphasizing the wastefulness of neglecting basic conservation practices such as turning off taps when not in use.

The webinar served as a pivotal platform for impassioned discourse and advocacy, elucidating the imperative of sustainable water management practices in fostering peace and prosperity across the African continent and beyond.