The Organised Private Sector in Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (OPS-WASH), a global coordinating body for private sector engagement in SDG 6, has partnered with the Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (AWEN) and other stakeholders
to adopt a multi-stakeholder collaboration in addressing the challenges of water.
The partnership for community engagement was also in collaboration with the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement in Abuja.
The aim of the collaboration is to leverage expertise, resources, and networks to address challenges and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
The OPS-WASH National Coordinator, Dr. Nicolas Igwe, in his address, highlighted specific projects and summits aimed at promoting WASH initiatives both nationally and internationally.
He pointed out that the partnership, based on the pillars; data and technology, financial innovation, corporate social responsibility, and philanthropy, aims to create sustainable interventions across the six geopolitical zones of the country.
He said the necessity of collaboration among various stakeholders, including local partners, NGOs, the private sector, and the government will address challenges in the work sector.
He highlighted the importance of not working in isolation and called for collective action to achieve sustainable solutions.
Expressing his passion and patriotism for Nigeria, Igwe underscored the need for proactive involvement from all sectors of society. Stating that solely relying on the government is not sufficient, Igwe emphasized the importance of Nigerian-led initiatives, acknowledging the contributions of development partners such as UNICEF, USAID, and others.
Igwe also noted a significant milestone in Nigeria’s engineering community, where a woman assumed the presidency of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, indicating the potential for women to lead transformative efforts in the wash sector.
Igwe called on stakeholders across different states in Nigeria to join hands with the government and OPS-WASH to support the Renewed Hope Agenda and ensure the realization of WASH rules. The National Coordinator highlighted the need for collective action to drive positive change in communities across Nigeria and to support the federal government’s development agenda.
APWEN president, Dr. Adebisi Osim, emphasised the urgent need to address Nigeria’s water crisis, including flooding, poor water management and insufficient access to clean water and sanitation. Osim stressed the vital connection between water, peace and sustainable development, advocating for collaborative efforts to prevent conflict and promote stability.
Osim called for empowered communities and outlined APWEN initiatives for engagement, urging investment in water infrastructure and women’s involvement in decision-making.
She encouraged the private sector to invest in innovative solutions and called on the media to raise awareness, reaffirming APWEN’s commitment to leveraging water for peace and prosperity in Nigeria.
Abiodun Essiet, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement, highlighted the establishment of her office by President Bola Tinubu as part of his Renewed Hope Agenda. Essiet, said these efforts were aimed at positively impacting lives, particularly at the grassroots level through various initiatives and programs. She emphasized collaboration with various private sector organizations, focusing on finance support, community intervention, and technology advancement as pillars of OPS WASH mission. Acknowledging the critical role of water and sanitation in sustainable development, Essiet stressed the challenges in ensuring universal access to safe, clean and affordable water, advocating for collective action.
“The partnership between the SSAP-CE, North Central, OPS-WASH and the Association of Professional Women Engineers signify a commitment to addressing the water and sanitation challenge. It bridges public and private sectors involving professional bodies to tackle complex societal issues.”
Essiet stressed the vital importance of water for life and development, expressing concerns over the ongoing lack of access to safe drinking water and sanitation facilities, worsened by issues like climate change and rapid urbanization.
She emphasized promoting sustainable water management, raising awareness on water-related issues and empowering communities, particularly women and girls, in decision-making processes regarding water management. The SSAP expressed gratitude to the OPS-WASH, APWEN, and all partners involved, anticipating a fruitful partnership that would create lasting impact and transform lives.