Activists raise concerns over water pollution in Nigerian communities

Activists have raised concerns about how pollution is fuelling lack of access to clean water in many Nigerian communities.

The activists spoke during a water reporting summit, which took place in Ikeja, Lagos, on December 1.

The summit, with the theme, ‘A Nation in Thirst: Championing Nigeria’s Water Revolution’, was organised by Anu Adelakun, a documentary filmmaker with TheCable and 2022 Nigerian Bertha fellow.

The water summit was part of the Bertha fellowship activities of Adelakun under the Connect Fund initiative.

The summit was graced by activists, journalists, and stakeholders in the environment and water space.

Fumba Chama, a Zambian activist and 2022 Bertha fellow, better known as Pilato, attended the summit as part of the Connect Fund initiative.

During the summit, Adelakun showcased a part of her documentary on water pollution titled: ‘Water Manifesto’.

In the past twelve months, Adelakun has been investigating causes of water pollution in some Nigerian communities, and she has visited Osun, Enugu, Rivers and Lagos states, as well as the federal capital territory (FCT).

Speaking during the summit, Anthony Adejuwon, Urban Alert team lead, spoke about how illegal and unregulated gold mining activities have polluted the Osun river.

Adejuwon expressed concern over how many rural dwellers and worshippers drink the polluted Osun river, which study has shown contains some heavy metals.

The social advocate commended the role of the media in creating awareness on how gold mining is fueling river pollution in Osun.

On his part, Kayode Ogunbunmi, a journalist and development expert, urged journalists to tell stories of how human activities like gold and sand mining are causing pollution of water bodies.

Ogunbunmi said telling the stories of water pollution will draw the attention of governments and other stakeholders to the situation.