The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) has pledged to strengthen its partnership with environmental journalists to improve public awareness on water resources management, flood forecasting, and early warning dissemination across the country. This move aims to reach vulnerable communities with timely and accurate information, particularly on flood early warnings and water-related risks. The Director-General of NIHSA, Arch. Umar Muhammed, gave the assurance during a courtesy visit by the Executive Council of the Environmental Media Correspondents Association of Nigeria (EMCAN) in Abuja.
Muhammed emphasized that effective management of water resources is crucial to preventing scarcity, contamination, and outbreaks of water-borne diseases. He warned that poor environmental management and pollution of water sources through human activities pose serious public health consequences. The NIHSA DG stressed the need for a partnership with EMCAN to interface with the public and disseminate quality information for public use.
The Special Assistant on Media to NIHSA, Yakub Aliyu, highlighted the agency's need for greater visibility to help Nigerians understand its mandate and the importance of hydrological information in disaster prevention. He expressed interest in partnering with EMCAN on specialized training to equip journalists with technical knowledge to report hydrological issues accurately. This collaboration aims to promote the agency's Annual Flood Outlook and improve public awareness of Nigeria's water and environmental challenges.
The Technical Adviser to the DG, Stephen Jabo, called for stronger collaboration to promote NIHSA's work on water and land management, which directly affects Nigerians but remains largely unknown due to inadequate publicity. He emphasized that the agency's work is critical to preventing water-related disasters and promoting sustainable development. The partnership with EMCAN is expected to enhance public awareness and understanding of NIHSA's mandate.
The Chairman of EMCAN, Joycelyn Ellakeche Adah, said that environmental journalists have been reporting NIHSA activities, but the new leadership wants to deepen the relationship to bring the agency's work to the front burner. She emphasized that stronger capacity building would enable journalists to understand the agency's mandate and report accurately. Adah also appealed for sponsorship support from NIHSA for EMCAN members to cover the 31st Conference of Parties (COP31) scheduled to hold in Türkiye.
Responding to Adah's appeal, the NIHSA DG said the agency is also preparing to participate in COP31 and is engaging international development partners. He noted that while NIHSA operates within a statutory funding framework, it would explore opportunities to accommodate EMCAN. Muhammed expressed optimism that the visit would mark the beginning of a sustained partnership focused on public enlightenment, early warning dissemination, and improved reporting of Nigeria's water and environmental challenges.
Both organizations expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, which is expected to enhance public awareness of water resources management and flood forecasting in Nigeria. The collaboration will also promote the agency's Annual Flood Outlook and improve reporting of hydrological issues. Key aspects of the partnership include capacity building for journalists, improved public awareness, and support for COP31 coverage.
Key points
- NIHSA partners with EMCAN to improve public awareness on water resources management and flood forecasting.
- The partnership aims to reach vulnerable communities with timely and accurate information on flood early warnings and water-related risks.
- NIHSA explores opportunities to support EMCAN members in covering COP31 in Türkiye.
