By Khadija Kubau
The Nigerian Institution of Water Engineers (NIWE), Kaduna Chapter, has called for urgent and collective action to protect the River Kaduna from pollution, indiscriminate waste disposal and degradation of its surrounding ecosystem.
The Chapter Chairman of NIWE, Engr. Abdul-Qadir Aliyu, made the call in Kaduna during an awareness walk organised in collaboration with the UNESCO Regional Centre for Integrated River Basin Management (RC-IRBM) to commemorate World Rivers Day 2026.
The event, held on Monday, September 28, was organised under the theme: “No Forests, No Rivers, No Water, No Life.”
Engr. Aliyu said the health of rivers was closely linked to the health of forests, wetlands, catchments and other ecosystems, stressing that the degradation of forests and riverbanks could lead to erosion, sedimentation, declining water quality, flooding and loss of biodiversity.
He described the River Kaduna as an important natural resource supporting communities, agriculture, fisheries, biodiversity and other economic activities across the state.
The NIWE chairman, however, expressed concern over increasing pressures on the river, including pollution, indiscriminate disposal of solid waste, degradation of riparian vegetation, erosion, sedimentation and encroachment.
He said addressing the challenges required sustained collaboration among government agencies, professional bodies, researchers, communities, civil society organisations, development partners and individual citizens.
Engr. Aliyu urged residents to regard themselves as ambassadors of the River Kaduna by protecting forests and natural vegetation, keeping waterways free from waste, protecting riverbanks and using water responsibly.
He also called for increased environmental education among young people, community-based river stewardship, research and effective monitoring to support sustainable water resources management.
A goodwill message delivered on behalf of the Director-General of the National Water Resources Institute (NWRI), Kaduna, acknowledged the importance of the awareness walk and commended the organisers for bringing together water professionals, government agencies, academics, students and other stakeholders.
The representative said the institute was committed to supporting initiatives aimed at promoting sustainable water resources management and public awareness.
Also speaking, Dr. Asma’u Ja’e, Assistant Programme Coordinator, Water and Education Training, NIWE Kaduna Chapter, joined other stakeholders in emphasising the importance of protecting rivers and their ecosystems.
Another speaker at the event warned that increasing pollution of surface water was placing additional pressure on groundwater resources.
He noted that rivers originate largely from highlands and play an important role in sustaining communities and aquatic ecosystems, but human activities were increasingly threatening their health.
He appealed to governments, non-governmental organisations, philanthropists and communities to intensify efforts to protect rivers, warning that pollution also affects aquatic life and the livelihoods of communities that depend on fishing.
The event brought together representatives of the National Water Resources Institute, UNESCO Regional Centre for Integrated River Basin Management, Kaduna State water-related ministries and agencies, professional bodies, academic institutions, environmental organisations, civil society groups, students and the media.
The organisers stressed that while the awareness walk would end in a few hours, the responsibility of protecting the River Kaduna must continue beyond the celebration.
They urged stakeholders to make the commemoration a renewed commitment to protecting forests, restoring rivers, conserving water resources and promoting sustainable communities.
The event ended with a call for collective action to ensure a cleaner River Kaduna, healthier communities and a sustainable water future for generations to come.
