By Sunday Etuka, Abuja
Preparations are in top gear for Nigeria to host the 6th African Regional Conference (ARC) of the International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage (ICID) from April 14th to 18th, 2025, in Abuja.
This is evidenced from the inauguration of two additional Task Team members and the Chairmen, and Co-Chairmen of the constituted Committees, by the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr. Prof. Joseph Utsev on Thursday at the Ministry.
The Director, Information and Public Relations of the Ministry, Mrs.Funmi Imuetinyan disclosed in a statement that the Minister of State, Rt. Hon. Muhammad Goronyo, Esq. inaugurated the Committee on behalf of Prof. Utsev at the ceremony which took place in the Ministry’s Conference Room.
The Minister disclosed that Nigeria, a longstanding member of ICID since 1970, has consistently supported the organization’s objectives.
He also informed that Nigeria, represented by the National Committee on Irrigation and Drainage (NINCID), secured the honour to host the 6th African Regional Conference by ICID, presenting an opportunity for Nigeria to showcase its commitment to advancing water and land management practices for agricultural development.
He further emphasized the importance of the upcoming conference, highlighting that the African Regional Conference, spearheaded by the International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage (ICID), serves as a platform to convene experts in Irrigation and Drainage from across the African sub-region. He added that the primary aim of the conference is to address contemporary and future challenges in these fields, fostering collaboration through ICID’s network and working groups.
According to him, the overarching goal of the 6th African Regional Conference is to facilitate the exchange of knowledge and information on irrigation and drainage among member nations for mutual benefit. Similarly, the conference aims to highlight advancements in technology and best practices from around the world, opening the door for attendees to learn and potentially adopt innovative approaches tailored to their specific contexts.
He reiterated that each committee has been provided with specific Terms of Reference (ToR) outlining their responsibilities, with a deadline of three weeks to submit their reports to the General Secretary of NINCID.
The Minister stressed the importance of promptly initiating conference preparations in line with the ToR, expressing confidence in the expertise and capabilities of the Committee members to deliver impactful service. He urged them to work diligently towards a successful Conference.
The Permanent Secretary, Alhaji Shehu Aliyu Shinkafi, FCNA, in his remarks, acknowledged the experts assembled for the Conference and urged them to strategize effectively to ensure the speedy submission of pre-event requirements. He emphasized that prompt submission is crucial for the timely release of funds to enable adequate preparation towards a successful hosting of the Conference.
Director Irrigation and Task-Team Chair, Engr. Mrs. Oyeronke Oluniyi, FNSE, in her welcome address, emphasized that the Nigerian National Committee on Irrigation and Drainage (NINCID) was granted the hosting right during the 24th Congress of the International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage (ICID) held in October 2023 in Australia.
According to her, ICID organizes Regional Conferences to address the Irrigation and Drainage Issues and problems specific to particular regions of the world including Africa, through its National Committees.
She stressed that the ICID had in the past organized five African Regional Conferences in alignment with its objective of addressing issues and problems affecting Irrigation and Drainage the world over.
She expressed optimism that the overall expectations from the Conference will promote emerging development in Drainage and Irrigation among member nations.
The Co-Chairman of the Task Team, Engr. I.K. Musa shed light on the hosting of the Conference, clarifying that it was initially hosted in Lagos, Nigeria in 1982 under the umbrella of the African-Asia Regional Conference before the African Regional Conference was formed, paving the way for more focused discussions and collaborations within the Continent.
The President of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, Engr. Margaret Aina Oguntala applauded the commitment and level of professionalism of the newly inaugurated team and pledged the Society’s commitment to collaborate to deliver the best conference.
Responding on behalf of the newly inaugurated members of the various Committees, Prof. Musa Shuaibu of the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, expressed gratitude to the Ministry for the confidence reposed in the Team to organize the 6th African Regional Conference. He gave assurance of the full collaboration with all stakeholders in ensuring an impactful and successful conference.
The task team members for the ICID 6th African Regional Conference (ARC) are led by Engr. Oyeronke Oluniyi as the Chairman, with Engr. I.K. Musa as Co-Chairman. Other esteemed members include Prof. Henry Igbadun, Engr. Dr. Elijah A. Aderibigbe, Engr. Prof. Francis A. Adeniji, Engr. Peter Manjuck and Engr. Peter Sule, with Engr. M.S Bala serving as the Secretary.
Additionally, two newly inaugurated members, Engr. Margaret Aina Oguntala, President of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), and Engr. Sadiq Zubair Abubakar, President of the Council for Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), brought valuable expertise to the team.
