By Abbas Nazil
The Managing Director/CEO of the Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority (OORBDA), Engr. Adedeji Ashiru, led a roadshow on Saturday to raise awareness about the need for efficient water usage and to curb wastage.
The event, organized in commemoration of the 2025 World Water Day, focused on promoting sustainability and aligning with the theme, “Glacier Preservation.”
The sensitization walk commenced from OORBDA’s headquarters in Abeokuta and extended to various locations, including Camp, Gbonagun, Ake, and Kuto markets, where the team engaged residents and traders on the importance of responsible water use.
Ashiru expressed concern over the indiscriminate use and wastage of water, warning that such practices threaten the achievement of *Sustainable Development Goal 6*, which focuses on clean water and sanitation.
Addressing residents at the Camp area, Ashiru emphasized the critical need for water conservation, citing the delayed rainfall and rising temperatures as indicators of climate change worsened by water mismanagement.
He highlighted common practices that contribute to wastage, such as excessive water usage during bathing, leaving taps running while brushing or washing, and neglecting to repair leaking pipes.
Such inefficiencies, he maintained, exacerbate global warming, leading to drought, irregular rainfall, and food production challenges.
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Ashiru urged Nigerians to embrace responsible water usage and support conservation efforts. He reaffirmed OORBDA’s commitment to developing and managing water resources efficiently to ensure availability for drinking, agriculture, and other essential needs.
Discussing the theme of this year’s World Water Day, Ashiru underscored the significance of glaciers in maintaining global water security.
He described them as “nature’s water towers” that store freshwater in the form of ice and gradually release it into rivers and lakes, sustaining millions of lives.
The MD, however, warned that climate change has accelerated glacier retreat, posing serious threats such as rising sea levels, disrupted weather patterns, and reduced water availability.
He called for urgent action to address these issues, urging policymakers, researchers, civil society organizations, and stakeholders to collaborate on innovative solutions to safeguard water resources for future generations.
During the event, OORBDA also commissioned a solar-powered borehole* at the palace of the Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo.
The monarch commended Ashiru’s leadership and commitment to water resource management, while also lending his voice to the call for efficient water usage.
He encouraged Nigerians to eliminate wasteful habits and adopt responsible water conservation practices to ensure sustainable access for all.
