The federal government has pledged its sustained partnership with the Hungarian government to increase access to clean and safe water in the country
Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof Joseph Terlumun Utsev, stated this today when he received the Hungarian Ambassador to Nigeria, Lorand Endreffy, and the Economic Counsellor, Embassy of Hungary in Nigeria, Judith Beres, in his office in Abuja.
Prof Utsev, who acknowledged the long-standing relationship between the two nations, underscored the importance of a stronger collaboration, especially in the areas of knowledge sharing and ideas for effective water management.
The Minister assured them that his ministry and its agencies will work in synergy with the Hungarian embassy for effective participation in the forthcoming Nigerian-Hungarian Water Forum taking place this year.
Earlier, the Hungarian Ambassador to Nigeria, Lorand Endreffy, explained that the visit was to seek stronger collaboration in water and dam management as well as to invite the Minister to the forthcoming Nigerian-Hungarian Water Forum 2025.
According to him, the forum, which is expected to attract one hundred participants, including Hungarian companies showcasing their expertise in water engineering and water treatment technologies, will feature the signing of the MoU on Training and Exchange of Expertise in Water Engineering, flood management, and Data Processing between the two nations.
He said the two nations will also sign a Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the field of Water Management, which will be performed by the Nigerian Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation and the Hungarian Ministry of Interior, and expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for appointing a Professor of Water Resources Engineering to manage the water sector in Nigeria.
Residents shut wells contaminated by petrol, spend fortune buying water
Fear of disaster mounts as boreholes litre estate
Some residents still getting water supply —LWC
In Abesan, the housing estate reputed as the largest in Lagos, public water taps have once again gone dry, worsening unsanitary conditions and dropping quality of life among residents. For more than two decades, the residents had battled environmental and other forms of challenges following the collapse of the mini water works. The moribund water plant was rehabilitated and elaborately re-commissioned in December 2023 by the Lagos State Water Corporation (LWC) and projected to provide two million gallons of water per day. Unfortunately, the project ceased to function few months after, plunging the residents, especially the aged retirees, back to the horrifying experiences of the past, INNOCENT DURU reports.
PA Shola Fate, a retiree, lived in Ikoyi, a high brow area on Lagos Island during his service years. While in Ikoyi, he enjoyed constant supply of potable water and never had any reason to worry about contracting water borne diseases as a result of exposure to contaminated water.
“After retirement, I moved into Abesan Estate because of reliable water supply. At the time I moved in, the public waterworks was working perfectly and everybody enjoyed it.
“I ran my pipe from the ground floor to my flat on the middle floor. Whenever the corporation opened their plant, water would run directly into my flat,” he said.
After some time, however, the water supply ceased and every resident resorted to self-help. Pa Fate and his co-residents consequently put their faith in a well sunk by their block of flats.
Unfortunately, the well could not provide the expected solution as the underground water mixed with petrol. Numerous water tanks in the area have become an eyesore as they have been corroded by the effects of the petrol.
Residents said the challenge cuts across sector one to three in the estate.
“Petrol smells in the water till now,” Pa Fatile said.
“There was a time I would fetch water from the well, pour it on grasses, lit the matches and it would burn because of the petrol content in the water.”
The dark complexioned man said he limited the use of the polluted water to washing and flushing.
“It is not drinkable. We used it to bathe. The quality of your bathing soap would determine whether the petrol will smell on your body.”
Asked if the harsh smell of petrol was affecting the children, he said: “My brother, it is only when you have an alternative that you can say this one is good and that one is not.
“I am from Ilaje, Ondo State. In my place, we drink water from streams. Somebody could be defecating there, and you would be collecting water.
“So, we are used to it. We have adapted to the situation. And when we go fishing, while you are fishing, you just part the stream and take water to drink.”
Pa Fate said it portends grave danger using the polluted water in the kitchen, “especially because we use gas for cooking. But by God’s grace, no calamity was recorded.”
Pa Fate said because of the risk associated with using the contaminated water, the residents were compelled to lock up the well.
That decision, he said, has had a telling implication on his pocket as he now spends his paltry monthly pension buying water from vendors.
“I buy 10 kegs for N1, 200 and use up everything within three to four days.
“I am the only person living in my house. I spend more when my children are around.
“For myself, I spend an average of N6,000 a month buying water. That is too much for me as a retiree, of course, but there is nothing I can do.
“Even if I am working and getting a monthly salary of say N70,000, by the time you remove the money for buying water, the whole money is gone.
“Besides, you have to pay electricity bill and also for transportation and feeding.
“I don’t have money to dig a borehole. Even if I do, digging a borehole now is not easy. It’s a lot of money.
“The area where the newly elected chairman of this local government lives is also affected by the oil spill.
“The pollution in their area, Sector 1, is worse than Sector 3 here.
“I told her that the most important thing in the estate now is water. Give us good water to drink. The best for the government to do is to let the mini waterworks work.”
Also decrying the ugly development, a neighbour to Pa Fate said: “I spend a lot of money filling my water tank every day. The vendor brings water from a long distance.
“He has just told me that the price has changed and that I will have to pay more. That is really disturbing.
“The public water is not working. Unfortunately, the well that we could have relied on is contaminated.
“I learnt that there was pipeline vandalisation around Baruwa area and that affected our groundwater.”
Findings showed that exposure to petrol-contaminated water can cause various short-term and long-term health issues in humans. The short-term effects may include gastrointestinal problems like nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. It could also result in skin irritation, headaches and dizziness.
“Long-term exposure could lead to more severe health problems, including liver and kidney damage, increased cancer risk and developmental or reproductive issues,” the search result said.
The traditional leader of Fatade area of Alimosho, High Chief Kamorudeen Amao, attested to this during the re-commissioning of the water project in 2023.
He said: “Personally, each time I bathed with it (polluted water), I always had challenges with my skin.
“There have been reported cases of skin irritation by people who use the water.”
Environmental pollution rocks other sectors
Apart from the contamination of water sources in Sectors 1 to 3, water crisis in the estate is said to have compounded sewage management in some other sectors.
A resident of Sector 5, Alhaji Akintunde, said: “Generally, poor water supply has affected the estate seriously, because without water, there’s nothing you can do.
“In this our type of building, if there is no water in any flat, when you enter that flat, they don’t need to tell you before you know. Odour will pervade the whole place and ooze into your mouth.
“Odour from the toilet or bathroom, if it hits you once, you will know what I am saying.”
Regrettably, he said, “there is nothing we can do, because the majority of us are retirees and poor people. We just have to cope.”
Speaking specifically about environmental challenges in his sector, he said: “The sanitary situation in our sector is very poor. But we thank God because early this year, the sewage people came and attended to some of the problems that we have.
“There was a blockage along the pipeline, but they came, rectified it and now it is functioning better than before.
“Before they came to rectify it, the situation was very pathetic, because it was spilling and gushing out. There was odour all over with flies everywhere. But now it is better.”
Continuing, he said: “We don’t have water from Lagos Water Corporation.
“Well, most of us did not apply for it. But those who applied did not get, so there was no need wasting our time.
“We use borehole. Yes, we have community borehole.
“In my own area, some of us give people free water.
“Water is life, you know that. If there is no water, the moment you enter the house, you will know.
“Most of us give to those who don’t have water. Some people go for community water supply and pay a token amount per month, for servicing them.”
Sector bars residents from further sinking boreholes
Sequel to the self-help adopted by the residents, the estate is now littered with boreholes.
Much as it is helping the residents to have access to potable water, leaders have put a stop to it, fearing that it may trigger natural disaster.
Alhaji Akintunde said even though he does not know the implications of having too many boreholes in an area, “people who are in that line said too many boreholes can cause an earthquake.
“We have not experienced one since we have been living here. But in my sector, we have put a stop to it.
“We have said that nobody should dig boreholes anymore so that we don’t have disasters in the community.”
Fetching water upstairs, a herculean task
While it could be tolerable for people living on the ground floor to fetch water for use in their houses, residents who live upstairs described it as a herculean task.
A resident who gave his name simply as D1 said: “The vendors don’t charge the same amount for fetching water for people living down stairs and those living upstairs. Those on the ground floor pay the least, those on the middle floor pay more and those above pay the most.
“If you can’t afford the charges, you will have to go fetch the water by yourself and endure the attendant pains.”
D1 added that when parents, especially the vulnerable ones lack money to buy water from vendors, their children suffer a great deal. “This is worse if they have to fetch water before going to school.
“Imagine burning all your energy fetching water upstairs and later going to school.
“You can be sure that the concentration will be poor.”
We’re tired of LWC’s promises -Estate President
President of the Abesan Estate Residents Association, Pa Michael Aderemilekun Kehinde, said their efforts to get the corporation to fix the problem have always been met with fruitless promises.
He said: “The water is still not working. It hasn’t been working for some years now. Maybe it worked for about two, three months before it stopped functioning.
“It just stopped functioning and the people who are connected to it were no longer being serviced.
“We are just hoping and praying that the place will get attention sometime.”
Asked if the estate has made their plight known to the corporation, the president said: “The only link we have is to their head office at Ijora, and they kept on promising the place will get attention, and it has not gotten any attention.”
The management of LWC had last year told us that contractors working in the area “spoiled most of our pipes and we need to fix them.
“We have spent so much on that site and we need to generate money from there as well.
“It is to our own advantage if water supply is back in Abesan.
“The people should rest assured that in very short time to come, the water will be back.
“They are working on the reticulation and channelization in the area.
Asked if the estate authorities were in the know of such development, the president said: “I am hearing that for the first time. I am not aware of that.
“In the first place, how many trailers and trucks do we have plying this estate?
“Neither did any construction work affect the water scheme.
“If there is any construction work going on, that is the construction work (pointing to it) and in fact, water supply from the water scheme had ceased functioning ever before that construction work commenced.
“So certainly, that could not have been the cause.
“I want to believe that their problem is with their own system or so.
“They’ve not got it right.”
Corroborating the estate president’s position, Pa Fate said: “Actually, there’s a mini waterworks for the estate, but it only worked for about two or three months when it was revived, and after that, it stopped working.
“We have not been getting water from there ever since.”
Worried by the development, he said: “I’ve been to their office here and the one at Ijora. What they were saying sometimes was that the problem was because of NEPA.
“At other times they would tell me it is because of diesel. But the major problem, I’m going to be frank with you, is that people are afraid to talk.
“Me, I’m not afraid. I don’t care.”
Water challenge distressing association members
Lamenting the predicament of his members, the president said: “Our people in the estate have a huge challenge coping with the situation on ground.
“That is why you find that in our estate, there are so many boreholes and so on and so forth.
“Everybody’s trying to provide to meet their needs. Here you find two, three people coming together or a sector coming together to provide water, to get a borehole and begin to provide for themselves.
“It is based on some kind of self-help.
“When there’s no means, I mean power supply, to pump water from the boreholes, you will have another problem at hand.
“I mean, that’s another challenge. It happens just like that. Once there is no power to pump water, all we need to do is to queue.”
He emphasised that “the water crisis affects sanitary conditions in the estate. There is no way it will not affect it. That is why we are not having what we are supposed to have sanitary-wise.
“We don’t have a water system that will carry the waste away. It is all our own little efforts that we rely on. And that is why, in fact, the central waste system is also not functioning.
“There is no water to carry the waste down there. There are sewage leakages around the estate.
“Oh, if that is what you want, I can take you to where the leakages are. There are some sectors you will visit and you won’t be able to stay there.
“My elder sitting down here laughing, if I take his sector you won’t be able to stand the stench.
“In fact, the Environmental Committee of Lagos State House of Assembly came here. When they got to his place, they called me and asked if people were staying in that place.
“I said are you asking? These are the people staying there, and this is our plight. It could have been better if there was water supply. I want to believe so.
“Some residents in some sectors buy water because their water is polluted by fuel. This affects sectors 1 to 3.
“They buy water, and they don’t have any other means. You will see that their tanks have become coloured because of the fuel erosion.”
Estate jubilant day water project was re-commissioned
When the mini water project was re-commissioned in December 2023, with the flag off of reticulation extension in Baruwa area of Alimoso Local Government Area of the state, the people were jubilant, hoping that it would end their misery. But their joy was short-lived and they have since gone back to living the difficult way.
Addressing the gathering at the re-commissioning of the plant in 2023, the General Manager of Lagos Water Corporation (LWC), Engr Mukhtaar Tijani expressed joy that the project saw the light of day in spite of challenges facing the corporation.
His words: “I stand before you today with great joy and enthusiasm as we gather to witness a significant milestone in the provision of potable water to our communities.
“Before delving into the details of the Abesan Mini Waterworks project, let me briefly speak on some of the challenges faced by the Lagos Water Corporation today.
“Lagos, with its status as one of Africa’s most densely populated cities, serves as Nigeria’s economic hub, boasting a population of over 21 million inhabitants.
“The Lagos Water Corporation (LWC), tasked with providing potable water in the state, has encountered hurdles over the years, including aging infrastructure, energy shortages, and operational limitations.
“Now, let’s shift our focus to the reason we are here today, the Abesan–Baruwa Water Supply Scheme.
“Recognising the immediate need to address water supply challenges in the Abesan Housing Estate, the Lagos Water Corporation embarked on a targeted approach to solve this problem in the most efficient manner possible.
“Two key water sources, Mosan Okunola 2MGD Waterworks in Abesan Estate and the Adiyan Phase I Waterworks, supplied water to this area.
“Knowing that Adiyan Phase I waterworks is currently undergoing rehabilitation and will be unable to operate at optimal capacity until the conclusion of the rehabilitation, we shifted our focus to the non-operational Mosan Okunola Plant.
“The restoration of the plant became a priority for us. The extensive rehabilitation work done on the plant includes but is not limited to the rehabilitation of existing electro-mechanical infrastructure such as pumps, drilling of new boreholes and power equipment upgrades including a new transformer and earthing system.
“I am pleased to announce that through the hard work and collaborative efforts of the contractor Aquadrill Nigeria Ltd and the project team led by Engr Lawal of LWC, the operational capacity of the Mosan Okunola 2MGD Waterworks has been successfully restored.
“In addition to this, the 5km reticulation network around the estate is now energised, as we have carried out significant repairs to the pipe network over the past six weeks and as we speak we have over five metered customers receiving water from this water treatment plant in Abesan Estate.
“At the Abesan Estate Gate on Ipaja Road, we have connected this water treatment plant to the Baruwa community who has suffered significant ground water issues in recent times.
“The successful linkage of the Mosan Okunola Plant with Baruwa community now allows us to supply water to specific areas, including Baruwa compound, Taiwo close, Fatade Road, Sule Street, Oyewole Street, and Pipeline Road.
“Looking ahead, we plan to extend the pipe reticulation within Baruwa, covering approximately 3km. This expansion will positively impact areas such as Asalu Lawal Street, Ajibola Street, Remilekun Street, Odubakin Street, Adebanjo Street, Kareem Street, and more.”
Elated by the development, the traditional leader of Fatade area of Alimosho, High Chief Kamorudeen Amao said: “We thank God for what the Lagos State Government has done. I am very happy that they have intervened in our situation. Our prayer is that God will give them the grace to maintain it.”
Prior to the revival of the water plant, Chief Amao said: “We have been having water challenges for the past 25 years. Petrol sipping into the ground was affecting our water.
“When we fetch water from our boreholes, it is petrol that we would get from it. The polluted water was affecting our people.
“Personally, each time I bathed with it, I always had challenges with my skin. There have been reported cases of skin irritation by people using the water.
“Instead of using the water, we would rather travel some distances to fetch water.”
Also speaking at the re-commissioning in 2023, the traditional leader of Baruwa, Alhaji Halid Baruwa said: “We thank God for what the Lagos State Government has done with this project.”
He went down memory lane to relive the hardship they had suffered as a result of not having access to clean water.
“Our water was polluted by petrol since 1998. We were always buying water. As retired civil servants, we were buying water using the meager pensions we are receiving.”
Some residents still getting water supply -LWC
The Lagos Water Corporation, in reaction to our enquiry, through the spokesperson, Kehinde Fashola, said some of the residents were getting water supply because “they agreed to pay our tariff, which is N200 per cubic metre while some said that they can only pay N1000 per month as bill for water.
“We made them realise that water production is already subsidised by government and that is why we are collecting N200 per cubic metre.
“The residents should understand that water production is very expensive these days coupled with the increase in the cost of electricity supply.
“I am sure majority of them are spending more than N1000 per day to get potable water that cannot even match the standard of water produced by LWC.
“Please investigate from the residents, especially those residing very close to the gate. They are the People enjoying our services.
“If others agreed to go by our tariff, we will surely connect them.
“In addition, let them realise that for sustainability, it is important for the Corporation to generate revenue.”
Effects of indiscriminate sinking of boreholes
Online checks showed that while boreholes can provide access to water, especially in areas with limited surface water, indiscriminate drilling can lead to both ecological and public health problems.
“Excessive or poorly planned borehole drilling can lead to a significant drawdown of groundwater levels, impacting both human water supply and the environment.
“Improperly constructed or maintained boreholes can create pathways for surface pollutants (like pesticides, fertilizers, or sewage) to contaminate the underlying aquifer, potentially affecting the quality of drinking water.”
The search added that drilling activities and the subsequent changes in groundwater levels can disrupt local ecosystems, affecting vegetation, soil moisture, and the habitats of various species, adding: “While not a primary concern, some research suggests that large-scale borehole drilling can, in certain geological conditions, increase the risk of minor seismic activity.”
In life, fortune romanced Adebayo Alao-Akala like a loyal consort. Politics, not the badge of his police years, adorned him with gold and laughter. It was in the corridors of Oyo State’s power, first by robbing Rasidi Ladoja and later by the ‘will’ of the people, that his cup ran over. His days as governor dripped with bounty; the kind of opulence that lets a man rinse his fingers in rare wine and banish want with a finger’s snap.
But when death knocked, as it does for kings and commoners alike, it asked no permission and made no exemptions. The once-bustling lion of Ogbomoso was lowered into the earth, wrapped not in silks or accolades, but in the humility of white shrouds. The ground, unhurried and ancient, went to work, first stealing the raiment, then the flesh, until all that remained were the bare, whispering relics of what once lived: bones and teeth.
It is these bones, those mute witnesses of his passage, that Oluwatoyin Alao-Aderinto, his first child, now seek to summon, not in memory, but in litigation. She is urging the law to exhume what remains of her father for a paternity test on herself and six others who bear his name: Olamijuwonlo, now a lawmaker; Olamide, Adebukola, Olamipo, Tabitha, and Olamikunle. Seven children supposedly bound by blood and now by a contested legacy.
At the heart of this unfolding soap opera are properties, many amassed during his reign as governor. Some erroneously blame the brouhaha on the fact that when he died on January 12, 2022, he left this world with no written instruction, no map to guide his children through the forest of his estate. By October of that year, the first seeds of discord bloomed. His widow, Kemi, and her daughter, Olamide, secured a Letter of Administration from the Oyo State Probate Registry. They did so quietly, without Oluwatoyin’s knowledge or consent. And since then, the drums of war have been beating.
As we await the court’s judgment on whether the bones will speak and clear or cloud the names etched on the family tree, my thoughts drift to two other families turned apart when wealth defeats wisdom.
The first family is that of the legendary legal mind, Timi the Law, FRA Williams, one that proves that will is no guarantee of peace after a patriarch’s demise. He knew the cost of silence so he left a will. He had only one wife, and with her, four sons: Ladi (of blessed memory), Kayode, Folarin, and Tokunbo. Yet even with the clarity of paperwork, his death cracked open a chasm. Love faltered and brotherhood frayed. The house that had once held the promise of legal brilliance became a haunted echo of quarrels unresolved. When Ladi died in 2021 of COVID-19 complications, the wounds had not healed and to this day, the air in that lineage is thick with the ashes of unspoken things.
The second family is that of Olorogun Michael Ibru, another instance where a child sought a paternity test to determine who should get inheritance.
I particularly remember an incident a year after the passing of the visionary who built the Ibru Organisation from the dust of humble beginnings into a formidable empire. That Wednesday, family members gathered at St. Andrew’s Anglican Church, Agbarha-Otor in Ughelli North, Delta State, for a memorial service in his honour.
Among those present were his only surviving brother, Chief Goodie Ibru; his sons, Oscar and Gabriel; daughters-in-law, and other relatives. But while hymns echoed through the ancient arches of the church and prayers were offered in remembrance, a quieter tension hung in the air, one that not even the most solemn liturgy could mask.
It was no accident that the Bishop of the Ughelli Diocese, Rt. Rev. Dr. Cyril Odutemu, used the occasion to preach about unity. His voice rose, almost pleading: “Allow Olorogun Michael Ibru to live on. Conquer self, and let the life of this man be your mirror. In the history of Urhobo, who else shared their wealth so generously with brothers, sisters, even those only related by path? Everything he had, he gave freely. But be warned: this wealth can be sustained if you are sustained, or vanish like mist if you fall apart.”
The priest obviously was speaking against the backdrop of the fact that six months after the patriarch’s passing, fault lines erupted into full-blown fractures.
The father of these feuding children was not born into comfort. His father, Peter Ibru, was a missionary and nursing superintendent at Igbobi Orthopedic Hospital. His mother, Janet, sold fish in the creeks to keep the family afloat. Michael’s path to greatness was paved not with privilege, but grit. He only began formal secondary education at age 18, but quickly distinguished himself, leaping from elementary school straight into Secondary Class Two at Igbobi College, and graduating with distinction in the Cambridge School Certificate.
In 1951, he joined the United African Company (UAC) as a trainee manager, but by 1956, he struck out on his own. At 24, he co-founded Laibru with expatriate partner Jimmy Large. One year later, he entered a then-overlooked market: frozen fish. It was a bold and ridiculed move. Competitors scoffed, calling his imports “mortuary fish.” But Ibru had vision, and more importantly, perseverance. He built cold storage facilities, secured import channels, and slowly won the trust of a growing customer base.
By the mid-1960s, he was a millionaire. By the 1970s, he controlled 60 per cent of the frozen fish market with turnover exceeding N90 million. He scaled beyond fish diving into transportation, palm oil, breweries, banking (Oceanic Bank), aviation (Aero Contractors), and insurance (Minet Nigeria). His company, Ibafon Oil, was another testament to his reach. His trawlers fished the Atlantic, while his footprints dotted Apapa, Victoria Island, London, and beyond.
Ibru, who in 1983, tried to govern Bendel State but lost to Samuel Ogbemudia, kept family at the centre of his world, elevating his siblings, sponsoring their education, and giving them stakes in his ventures.
During his 80th birthday celebration, Oskar proudly declared, “We grew up as a team… like a bunch of broomsticks.” That was despite Ibru having children from five women. So how did these tightly bound broomsticks fall apart?
The trigger? A legal war. At the centre was Oboden Ibru, a former Oceanic Bank executive, who approached the Igbosere High Court in Lagos seeking recognition that all 16 children, regardless of maternal lineage, were entitled to equal shares of their father’s estate. Oboden also wanted an order that he, Oskar, Christiana, and Jero be appointed administrators.
But not all siblings agreed. Janet Ibru, through her affidavit, urged the court to restrict inheritance to only those who could scientifically prove their paternity via U.S.-based diagnostic testing. She also sought reimbursement of $48,000 in legal fees spent defending their father during his final years.
My final take: Estates don’t keep families together, hearts do. What balm can soothe when wealth outlives wisdom because fathers, who built empires in stone, failed in chiselling peace into the hearts of their children? Let every man, every patriarch, teach their children that unity is not born of shared blood alone; it is nurtured by shared love, mutual respect, and the humility to put the whole above the self.
A development and water resources expert, Micheal Ale, an engineer, has urged the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency in the water sector.
Ale, who is also the co-founder and president of the Safe Water for Africa Community Initiative (SWACI), said the declaration had become necessary to address the challenges in the water sector.
He made this known in an interview with reporters in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State capital, at the weekend to commemorate this year’s World Water Day.
Ale lamented that two-thirds of Nigeria’s population lacked access to potable water, attributing the poor access to clean water to poor maintenance culture and economic hardship.
He said the cost of drilling boreholes, which in many communities in the country was the most reliable source of clean water, ranging between N1.5 million and N2.6 million, was expensive for many Nigerians living in poverty.
Ale called for urgent massive investment in the water sector by the government, stressing that this would help to address the challenges of accessing clean water in Nigeria.
He said: “As the world commemorates this year’s World Water Day, the harsh reality for millions of Nigerians comes to the forefront—clean and safe water remains a privilege accessible only to the wealthy, while the poor continue to struggle with inadequate access to this fundamental human right.
“One of the primary obstacles is the exorbitant cost of drilling boreholes, which in many communities is the only reliable source of clean water.
“The cost of drilling a borehole ranges between N1.5 million and N2.6 million, a sum far beyond the means of many Nigerians living in poverty.”
Lagos Water Corporation (LWC) says it has resumed production at its major waterworks in Iju and Adiyan, following the success of its ongoing rehabilitation efforts.
The Managing Director of the Corporation, Engr Mukhtaar Tijani, yesterday apologised for the inconvenience caused by recent water supply disruptions and “appreciated the patience and understanding of our valued customers.”
With the completion of the first phase of the rehabilitation of Iju and Adiyan waterworks, he said “we remain committed to delivering reliable and quality water services to meet the needs of Lagos residents.”
He further said that “the Corporation is prepared to serve the residents diligently and effectively and as part of the Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu THEME plus agenda to cater for the People of Lagos by ensuring adequate water supply to the people of the state.
He, however, announced that, residents in Alexander, Bourdillon, and Park View of Ikoyi area will experience temporary water shortage from Monday November 18th to Saturday November 23rd, adding “this is to enable the contractor execute some critical component of the rehabilitation work that is currently on going in the Alexander Mini Waterworks”
Engr. Tijani also pleaded with the residents of Lagos State to support the efforts of LWC by reporting any leakages on the pipelines to enable prompt repairs through the Corporation Customers Care Lines (07045973012, 07045973013).
He implored the residents to report any issues or complaints by calling the customer care lines or visiting any of the corporations’ nearest zonal offices
One of the basic needs of humans is water. Humans can do without food for a long time but can’t do without water, showing how crucial it is to our existence.
Water should be taken at all times and not only after food as this is very common with a lot of people. It is important to know that the body system needs water to survive and even function properly.
Here are eight(10) major importance of water to the body system;
Water helps to regulate the body temperature because hydration is crucial to Maintaining body temperature.
Water keeps the mouth healthy and helps the brain to function well.
Water helps to flush out waste from the body through urination and defecation.
Water helps to break down solid food easily, thus, aiding digestion.
Water helps the kidney to work more effectively and prevent kidney stones harmful to the body system.
Water helps to increase the energy level which enhances the performance of physical activities like exercise because hydration affects strength and power.
Water helps to prevent certain medical conditions like constipation, kidney stones, and so on.
Water also protects the tissues, spinal cord and joints.
In conclusion, it is very important to be intentional about our daily water intake as the kidney and cells in our body require adequate water intake to function properly.
Water is essential for almost every bodily function, making proper hydration important for maintaining health.
When the body is deprived of water for just 24 hours, it can start to show various signs of dehydration
If you don’t drink water for 24 hours, several effects can occur due to dehydration such as:
1. Mild dehydration symptoms: You might experience symptoms like dry mouth, slight headache, dizziness, and decreased urine output. Your urine may become darker in color.
2. Reduced physical performance: You may notice reduced stamina and fatigue as your body struggles to perform physical activities efficiently without adequate hydration.
3. Impaired cognitive function: Dehydration can affect concentration, mood, and cognitive function, making you feel less alert and focused.
4. Digestive issues: Lack of water can lead to constipation and difficulty in digestion as the body struggles to process food without sufficient fluid.
5. Increased thirst: Your body will signal increased thirst to encourage you to drink water and rehydrate.
6. Potential health risks: Extended dehydration can lead to more serious issues, including kidney strain, electrolyte imbalances, and increased susceptibility to infections.
While 24 hours without water is generally not life-threatening for most people, it’s important to rehydrate as soon as possible.
Prolonged dehydration, especially over several days, can lead to more severe health issues such as, urinary tract infections, and uneveness.
It is important to always ensure adequate hydration to maintain overall health and bodily functions.
Water is indispensable for maintaining good health and overall well-being. As the body’s most essential nutrient, playing a vital role in regulating temperature, aiding digestion, absorbing nutrients, and eliminating toxins. Proper hydration not only keeps skin healthy and supports weight management but also enhances cognitive performance.
However, not drinking enough water can lead to dehydration, causing symptoms such as fatigue, headaches, dry skin, and digestive issues. Chronic dehydration poses even more serious health risks, including kidney stones, urinary tract infections, and cardiovascular complications. Therefore, consuming an adequate amount of water daily is crucial for sustaining optimal health and preventing a wide range of health problems.
Experts recommend staying vigilant about your hydration levels to ensure that your body functions at its best.
Here are six signs that you are not drinking enough water
1. Dark yellow urine
One of the most obvious signs of dehydration is dark yellow or amber-colored urine. When you’re well-hydrated, your urine should be light yellow or clear. Dark urine indicates that your body is conserving water, signaling you need to drink more fluids.
2. Dry mouth and throat
A dry mouth or throat is another common sign of dehydration. When your body lacks enough water, it reduces saliva production, leading to a dry, sticky feeling in your mouth.
This condition can also cause bad breath, as saliva helps keep your mouth clean by removing food particles and bacteria.
3. Fatigue and low energy levels
Your body requires water for energy production. When you’re dehydrated, your body has to work harder to perform basic functions, making you feel tired and sluggish.
If you often experience fatigue, especially in the afternoon, it might be due to insufficient water intake.
4. Headaches
Dehydration can lead to headaches and even migraines. This occurs because a lack of water can reduce blood flow and oxygen to the brain.
If you frequently suffer from headaches, try increasing your water intake to see if your symptoms improve.
5. Dry skin
Your skin is the largest organ in your body, and it needs sufficient hydration to remain healthy. If your skin feels dry, flaky, or tight, it might be a sign that you’re not drinking enough water.
Staying properly hydrated helps maintain skin elasticity and can reduce the risk of skin problems like eczema and acne.
6. Constipation
Water plays a crucial role in keeping your digestive system running smoothly by aiding in food digestion and absorption.
When you’re dehydrated, your body extracts more water from your intestines, which can lead to hard, difficult-to-pass stools and constipation.
To mark its annual sustainability week: AXA Werk for Good, hundreds of AXA Mansard employees have engaged themselves in different activities to mitigate the effect of waste on water and the environment.
The company’s employees collected waste from their homes, offices, and the environment to improve the health of marine life and raise awareness about the required behavioural change.
It is also to mitigate the impact of climate change. AXA Week for Good is a significant part of the company’s global volunteering programme, AXA Hearts In Action (AHIA), which aims to contribute to positive societal and environmental impacts through employee volunteering, expertise, related financial support, and in-kind donations. “Through the AHIA, our employees do not just give time to great causes; we work together for a better future. We share our knowledge and expertise as a people with a shared purpose of acting for human progress by protecting what matters; by helping vulnerable communities around us,” said Rashidat Adebisi, Chief Client Officer, AXA Mansard. Under the theme: “
Trash to Treasure,” AXA Mansard employees participated in awareness walks to sensitize the public about the impact of waste on water. Also, with proceeds from trash collected from their homes and beach cleanup, the employees will also provide health Insurance for children in vulnerable communities under the Chess-In-Slums Africa Foundation. According to Adebisi, this theme presents the organisation an opportunity to demonstrate the social, economic, and environmental benefits of recycling waste. She said that according to reports, 88% of plastic waste in Nigeria is not recycled, which puts Nigeria among the top 20 contributors to marine debris globally. She noted that the company’s theme of trash to treasure is to show how waste can be better used to provide health care, fight hunger, and create jobs through recycling, upcycling, and other means of circularity. “So what our initiative demonstrates is that waste, if properly managed, can be of great value, rather than something that threatens our collective well-being and poses a great danger to our world.” “Our Initiative also captures the two main pillars of AXA’s sustainability agenda: climate change and Inclusive protection. Removing waste from waterways and our environment supports our climate change and biodiversity pillar and using the proceeds from it to provide access to health insurance for vulnerable children addressing our Inclusive protection pillar”, she explained.
The Minister of State for Water Resources and Sanitation, Bello Muhammad Goronyo, has summoned a contractor handling an irrigation project in Adamawa State after he found that the contractor had not executed the project after the contractor gave the impression that he had done so.
The Minister who walked a long distance through a bush path to inspect the pump station installation project in Talum, Shelleng Local Government Area, was surprised to find a reality that ran contrary to the impression he had been given.
Speaking to newsmen Friday evening on return to his hotel in Yola regarding the matter, Goronyo said, “The federal government is on its toes to ensure projects are concluded according to specifications. There is no way someone will collect money for a project and not execute it.”
What I did in the morning (taking the pain to view project sites) is a demonstration that we will see to all projects being completed and delivered to the Nigerian people.”
On the next line of action over the Talum Pump Station project, the minister said, “I have summoned the contractor to meet me in my office in Abuja on Monday over the project.”
Goronyo who was in Adamawa State to inspect water projects, had in the morning left the Talum pump station project for the Kiri Dam, a 615m metric cubic facility constructed in 1982 chiefly to provide irrigation water for what was that time called Savannah Sugar Company located in Numan; known today as Dangote Sugar Refinery after the Dangote Group acquired it in 2002.
Water helps to regulate the body temperature because hydration is crucial to Maintaining body temperature.
