International Conference on 'Water Security and Hydrological
Extremes: Towards Sustainable Development in Africa' and the
1st African Regional Consultative Meeting of the UNESCO-
International Hydrological Programme [UNESCO-IHP] National
Committees

Address by

Her Excellency: Mrs Chinwe Nora Obaji
Nigeria's Honourable Minister of Education

At the Opening Plenary Sessions
of the UNESCO-IHP Water Security
Conference: Abuja, Nigeria,
Monday 27 February, 2006

The President and Commander-in-Chief of
the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic
of Nigeria: His Excellency Olusegun Obasanjo

The Director-General of UNESCO:
Mr. Koïchiro Matsuura

Honourable Ministers

Heads of United Nations Agencies
and Multilateral; plus Bilateral Agencies

Representatives of Civil Society
Organisations and the Private Sector

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen:

It is my pleasure to join you all on this very august occasion of the marking
of two important events, the “International Conference on Water Security and
Hydrological Extremes Towards Sustainable Development In Africa” and the First
African Regional Consultative Meeting” of the National Committee for UNESCO -
International Hydrological Programme (IHP). The presence at this occasion of our
President, President, Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of
Nigeria , Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, GCFR, shows the seriousness and importance our
country Nigeria attaches to the issues at hand.

Also the presence of Mr. Koichiro Matsuura, UNESCO Director General, who is
represented by the Assistant Director General Natural Sciences (UNESCO) Dr. A.
Szollosi. Nagy at this event not only affirms his commitment but also underscores
the importance UNESCO and the entire UN System attaches to ‘water’ as a global
concern. This concern, I am sure is shared by the many eminent personalities
present at this occassion. ‘UNESCO House’, is a House of Ideas for promoting
international cooperation through education, science, culture and communication;
and we in Nigeria are happy to be part of this family. This year, as UNESCO
celebrates over sixty years of service to humankind, Nigeria is proud to
collaborate with it in the hosting of these two events, which are not just
scientific conferences but also provide an opportunity for exchange of ideas
among those concerned with the development of water as a renewable economic
resource for Africa’s development.

In recent times, scientific evidence has shown that water is not only the basis
for the existence of life on the planet, but also constitutes an important
component of the human life. The need for developing a multi-disciplinary
approach towards the assessment, planning and rational management of this
resource, requires cooperation and participation of all stakeholders. Water
being a major priority for UNESCO has led the Organization to develop the
International Hydrological Programme (IHP), which is an inter-governmental
body to which Nigeria is an active member. This programme will garner better
understanding on how to manage water resources. It also aims at providing
the scientific knowledge, technical training and policy advice required to
manage this precious resource efficiently, in a sustainable manner.

In Africa, reliable water resources, both in quantity and quality, are
required for sustainable socio-economic development of our countries.
Water resources needed for various demands such as domestic, municipal,
agricultural, hydropower, waste disposal, and navigational uses, vary
from one country to the other. The need for collaborative efforts is
the focus of the NEPAD initiative, for the development and management
of water resources in Africa.

The promotion of sound and sustainable use of water is one of the main
targets of action under the UNESCO’s Major Programme II, the Natural
Sciences. The adoption of such targets of action complements Nigeria’s
efforts and the prioritization of the water sector in Nigeria’s national
agenda of socio-economic development, tagged, “Water for the People,
Water for Life”.

At the 33rd General Conference of UNESCO, Nigeria firmly endorsed the
UNESCO, Programme and Budget (2006/2007), making “Water and Associated
Ecosystems” priority item of Major Programme II, with emphasis on water
management. This also corresponds with the World Summit on Sustainable
Development, (WSSD) Joint Implementation Plan. Increased emphasis is
also placed on education for water management, under the auspices of
UNESCO-IHE Institute of Water Education in Delft, The Netherlands. It
is hoped that this will improve UNESCO’s Intersectoral Decade for
Education for Sustainability Development (DESD) activities.

These international linkages are very important for developing effective
strategies of water use at global, sub-regional, regional and national
levels, for the benefit of long-term preservation of freshwater resources.
At the national level, the Nigerian National Committee for
UNESCO-International Hydrological Programme (UNESCO-IHP) is a
multidisciplinary body of professionals and experts nominated by both the
public and the private sectors.

I therefore charge these distinguished African professionals to use this
meeting to improve the knowledge base of the region in this important area,
and create a family of IHP National Committees that would work for the
common goal of resolving issues about water in the Region and also
strengthen partnerships in Africa. I urge the IHP National Committees to
use this occasion as a platform for African countries to prepare action
plans within the Seventh Phase of the IHP Plans (2008-2013) and to
underline specific actions to be undertaken within the framework of the
UN International Decade for Action and Education for Sustainable
Development (2005- 2015).

I understand that recommendations from the two events at this forum, will
be presented as the African IHP National Committees’ contribution to the
World Water Assessment Programme-World Water Development Report which will
form part of the African Water Development report at the 4th World Water
Forum (4WWF). These will also contribute to the follow-up to the World
Summit on Sustainable Development.

Let me use this opportunity to commend the efforts of UNESCO in all its
Intergovernmental Programmes. In particular, I commend the IHP with its
cognate institute, the UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education, in its
mandate to strengthen and mobilize the global educational and knowledge
base for integrated water resources management and capacity-building.
Indeed, both at the material and global levels, there is need to provide
‘water security’ for all, by educating people to change the way
they manage water.

The search for water poses serious challenges to rural dwellers and hinders
school enrolment. Nigeria’s Home Grown School Feeding Programme, geared
towards improving retention of pupils in schools, is a Presidential
initiative that is being complemented by this Presidential directive to the
Federal Ministry of Water Resources to provide water to rural areas.


Finally, I congratulate the National Committee on IHP and its host Ministry
of Water Resources for hosting this forum. The IHP, through the support of
the host ministry, has made very sustainable arrangements for participation
in the overall UNESCO Programme. I am convinced that your effort will
significantly impact on shared water values globally, as well as enhance
Africa’s contribution to UNESCO and its work in this Millennium. I wish you
all very successful deliberations and I hope this forum would be a giant
step on the road towards water security for Africa.

Mr. President Sir, the Director—General of UNESCO, Honourable Minister of
Water Resources, other Honourable Ministers here present, distinguished
members of the IHP, ladies and gentlemen, I thank you all for your
attention.

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