By: Manoah Kikekon
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| Lake Chad |
The Nigerian Navy has issued a passionate appeal to citizens to take active ownership of the country's water bodies, warning that the survival of millions depends on urgent ecological preservation.
Speaking on Thursday at the World Lake Day celebration organized by the Naval Base in Abuja, Navy Chief Idi Abbas stressed that maintaining and cleaning Nigeria’s lakes cannot be left to the government alone. Because local communities are in primary contact with these vital resources, protecting them requires a united, nationwide front.
> “We must recognise that the stewardship of our lakes is not just a responsibility of the government or a particular group, but a collective duty that requires the active participation of all. We must move forward towards shared prosperity, overcome identified challenges and prioritise sustainable management practices,” Mr. Abbas stated.
Highlighting the critical importance of these natural endowments to water security, food production, power generation, and environmental balance, the Navy chief pointed to the staggering ecological decline of Lake Chad. He revealed that the iconic lake has shrunk by approximately 90 percent since 1963, a catastrophic drop that has severely disrupted the livelihoods, nutrition, employment, and sanitation of about 13 million people across the region.
Describing the 2026 World Lake Day commemoration as a clarion call for deliberate intervention, Mr. Abbas urged immediate steps to curb major environmental hazards, including pollution driven by agricultural runoff, industrial waste, and domestic sewage.
The host of the event and Commander of Naval Base Abuja, Oluseyi Oladipo, noted that the celebration served a dual purpose: raising environmental awareness and strengthening trust between the military and civilian populations. He emphasized that this community-focused outreach directly supports President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which encourages active armed forces participation in national development and civilian assistance.
According to Commander Oladipo, the military is moving beyond traditional defense roles to take a hands-on approach in ecosystem rehabilitation.
“Commemorating the day further demonstrated the importance of using the Nigerian Navy platform to educate the public, students, youths, and policymakers about the ecological significance of lakes,” Mr. Oladipo said.
As part of its commitment to the cause, the naval service revealed it has already completed a rigorous one-week cleanup exercise around the Lake Chad basin, setting a precedent for ongoing environmental defense and public education initiatives across the country.