From Joseph Uchenna, in Makurdi
The Federal Government of Nigeria today joined the global community to mark World Rivers Day 2025 with a renewed call for collective action to protect and restore the nation’s rivers and waterways.
The celebration, themed “Clean Rivers, Healthy Communities,” was spearheaded by the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation through a high-level press conference at the Ministry’s Conference Room in Abuja and symbolic activities, including tree planting and river clean-up exercises at the Wupa River in Gbesa Community, off Airport Road, Abuja. Similar events were simultaneously held across the country’s River Basin Development Authorities (RBDAs).
A press statement by Mrs. Funmi Imuetinyan Director Information and PR made available to this medium said the Honourable Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr. Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, FNSE, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Richard Pheelangwah, stressed that healthy rivers are vital for public health, food security, environmental sustainability, and economic growth.
“Rivers are not refuse dumps. Our rivers must not be polluted with sewage, effluents, or open defecation. Protecting our rivers is safeguarding our health, livelihoods, and economy,” Prof. Utsev declared.
He said that protecting rivers is synonymous with protecting public health, the economy, and the environment, urging collective action to ensure that every river in Nigeria flows clean and supports healthy communities, safe food production, vibrant ecosystems, and a resilient economy.
The Minister highlighted key government interventions aimed at improving water and sanitation nationwide, including the Partnership for Expanded Water Supply, Sanitation, and Hygiene (PEWASH), the Sustainable Urban and Rural Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (SURWASH) programme, and the Clean Nigeria: Use the Toilet Campaign, which has so far enabled 21 states and 151 Local Government Areas (LGAs) to attain Open Defecation Free (ODF) status.
As part of the commemoration, the Ministry organized a symbolic river cleaning and tree planting exercise at Wupa River, where Prof. Utsev underscored the importance of community participation in combating pollution, erosion, and the impacts of climate change.
“The simple yet powerful act of planting trees today is an investment in the health of our rivers and the well-being of our communities,” he said, while calling on civil society, the private sector, and young people to become river guardians.
Prof. Utsev further explained that this year’s observance aligns with the global World Rivers Day, held annually on the fourth Sunday of September. However, in Nigeria, the National Council on Water Resources approved a Monday celebration to ensure broader stakeholder participation.
He added that the event reinforces the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which links river conservation to food security, job creation, and improved socio-economic well-being.
Delivering the welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Richard Pheelangwah, represented by the Director of Reform Coordination and Service Improvement, Mr. Moses Jo-Madugu, reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to integrated river basin management, climate-smart sanitation systems, and nationwide advocacy to mobilize citizens and institutions in safeguarding water resources.
In a goodwill message, Mr. Irikefe V. Dafe, Executive Director of the Foundation for Conservation of Nigerian Rivers (FCNR), applauded Nigeria’s rich network of rivers but warned of escalating threats such as pollution, deforestation, and climate change. He called for stronger water governance, river restoration, environmental enforcement, and sustained public education, stressing that the health of Nigeria’s rivers reflects the health of its people, economy, and environment.
The event was attended by directors of the Ministry, Managing Directors and Directors-General of Water and Sanitation Agencies, government officials, development partners, and traditional leaders, underscoring a broad national commitment to river conservation and sustainable water resources management.
