Ilorin:The Lower Niger River Basin Development Authority (LNRBDA) has urged collective action to protect and sustainably manage Nigeria’s rivers. The call was made by the Managing Director, Mr. Olusola Olumoroti, during the 2026 World Rivers Day commemoration at River Eruda.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria, the theme of the event was ‘No Forest, No Rivers, No Water, No Life’. Olumoroti emphasized the critical role of rivers in agriculture, water supply, biodiversity, and socio-economic development. He reiterated the authority’s commitment to developing and managing water resources, including flood control, irrigation, and watershed management.
Olumoroti highlighted the opportunity to reflect on the immense value of rivers and the need to protect them from pollution, encroachment, and waste disposal. River Eruda was specifically chosen for the event due to its significance to the people of Ilorin, aiming to promote community ownership of river conservation. Residents near river banks were urged to stop dumping refuse into waterways and to adopt environmentally friendly practices.
The authority plans to continue collaborating with stakeholders to raise community awareness about river protection and promote the effective utilization of water resources. The Chairman of LNRBDA, Alhaji Abdullateef Alakawa, reminded attendees that rivers are lifelines that require preservation, emphasizing the symbiotic relationship between rivers, forests, and life.
Alakawa encouraged residents to take responsibility for safeguarding waterways. Mr. Abolore Alanamu, Executive Director of Planning, Investigation and Design at the authority, stressed the importance of forests in sustaining rivers and water resources, warning that deforestation threatens water bodies and livelihoods. Alanamu called for collective action to ensure water security for future generations.
The traditional leader of the Eruda Community, Alhaji Saliu Mustapha, praised the authority’s efforts to sensitize residents about river protection, pledging the community’s commitment to keeping waterways free of pollutants. The event included a sensitization campaign, a clean-up exercise along River Eruda, and tree planting activities.