Nigeria has joined the rest of the world to celebrate the 17th edition of the annual World Rivers Day, with the theme: “The Incredible Natural, Cultural and Recreational Values of Rivers, Lakes and Streams in our Communities.”
Also in Nigeria, the sub-theme for this year’s celebration of World Rivers Day is “Rights of Rivers,” with the primary aim of drawing attention to the threats facing our rivers, their rights to existence and rights to restoration.
In Abuja, the minister of water resources, Engr. Suleiman Adamu, declared the celebration open on Monday, September 26 at the Jabi Lake Water Front.
He explained that the World Rivers Day is celebrated globally on September 25 every year, but in view of the fact that Sunday was a work free day, the National Council on Water Resources approved Monday, September 26th for the celebration.
The minister stated that there is need to give attention to the protection of rivers that are in healthy state, while consciously striving to restore those that have been damaged in the past.
He added that, according to the founder and Chair of the World Water Day, Mark Angelo, “the overall objective of the global event is to galvanize actions towards effective response to the different threats to rivers, and to intentionally seek innovative ways of improving the quality and flow of our river waters, maintain healthy environment for aquatic lives, as well as ensure efficient healthy hydrological connectivity.”
Adamu further revealed that rivers in almost all countries face a number of threats, ranging from pollution, global warming and climate change. He however urged all to view rivers and lakes as “living entities” that are entitled to certain fundamental rights and legal guardiance to shield them from degradation, pollution, misuse and extinction.
The minister maintained that celebrating the World Rivers Day in Nigeria will contribute to the growing awareness across the country on the importance of healthy waterways, adding further that “this year’s celebration is simultaneously taking place in other states of the federation and coordinated by the 12 River Basin Development Authorities (RBDAs).”
While admonishing all and sundry on the need to join hands in educating the populace, especially communities living around our rivers, streams and lakes on the need for protection, he also disclosed that in order to guarantee the continued success of this campaign, the 12 River Basin Development Authorities (RBDAs), as well as other agencies of the ministry have been mandated to embark on regular and increased advocacy programmes for river restoration, protection and conservation within the framework of Integrated River Basin Management.
This, the minister said, is to ensure coordinated development and management of the water resources in “our” rivers, streams and lakes.
Earlier in her welcome address, the permanent secretary in the federal ministry of water resources, Mrs Didi Walson-Jac, stressed the importance of rivers as major sources of fresh water for domestic needs, agriculture, recreation, power generation, transportation and economic sustainability.
She also reiterated the need for all river advocates to synergize and collectively ramp up efforts towards protecting “our” rivers.
The chief of section, capacity development and water family coordination, UNESCO headquarters, Paris, Prof. Rahmah Elfithri; and the representatives of the federal ministry of environment also spoke at the event.
The highpoint of the celebration was the Jabi Lake Riverside tree planting by the minister, the permanent secretary and the UNESCO representative, as well as the symbolic water clean-up, river-side celebration by stakeholders and “Friends of the River.”
There was also a public presentation and exhibition of products made from water hyacinth.
