Nigeria is set to host the sixth African Regional Conference of the International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage (ICID).
The conference is slated to take place in Abuja from April 14 to 16.
The announcement, made by the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, on Friday in Abuja, underscored Nigeria’s commitment to advancing water and land management practices for agricultural development.
During the inauguration of additional Task Team members and Committee Chairpersons, Utsev emphasised Nigeria’s support for ICID’s objectives since its membership inception in 1970.
The minister was represented by his state counterpart, Dr Bello Goronyo at the event.
He stressed that the conference presented a significant opportunity for the nation to demonstrate its dedication to improving water and land management, especially in agriculture.
He said that experts from across Africa were collaborating to address current challenges and foster cooperation through ICID’s network and groups.
Utsev emphasised the conference’s role in facilitating the exchange of knowledge and information among member nations for mutual benefit.
“The conference seeks to showcase technological advancements and best practices from around the world, with the aim of enabling attendees to learn and potentially adopt innovative approaches tailored to their specific contexts.
“To ensure effective preparations, each committee has been provided with specific Terms of Reference (ToR), outlining their responsibilities, with a three-week deadline for the submission of reports to the General Secretary of NINCID”.
Utsev expressed confidence in the expertise and capabilities of the committee members to deliver impactful service, urging them to work diligently towards a successful conference.
In her remarks, Mrs Oyeronke Oluniyi, Task-Team Chair, highlighted that Nigeria’s hosting right was granted during the 24th ICID Congress held in Australia in October 2023.
She emphasised ICID’s commitment to addressing irrigation and drainage issues specific to regions worldwide, including Africa, through its National Committees.
Mr Ibrahim Musa, Co-Chairman of the Task Team, provided insights into the conference’s history, noting its inception in Lagos, Nigeria, in 1982 under the African-Asia Regional Conference.
He highlighted the evolution of the event into the African Regional Conference, fostering focused discussions and collaborations within the continent.
The newly inaugurated team members, representing various committees, expressed gratitude for the opportunity and pledged their commitment to ensuring a successful conference.
Prof. Musa Shuaibu of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, assured full collaboration with stakeholders to organise an impactful event.
The Task Team comprises members such as Prof. Henry Igbadun, Dr Elijah Aderibigbe, Prof. Francis Adeniji, Mr Peter Manjuk, and Mr Peter Sule.
Others are; Mrs Margaret Oguntala, President of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), and Mr Sadiq Abubarkar, President of the Council for Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN).