CBDA commemorates World Rivers Day themed Clean Rivers, Healthy Communities.

‎The Chad Basin Development Authority (CBDA), Maiduguri, proudly joined the global community in commemorating World Rivers Day on Monday, September 29, 2025. The celebration was led by the Managing Director/CEO, Alh. Tijjani Musa Tumsah, alongside members of the management team and staff of the Authority.

World Rivers Day, observed annually on the last Sunday of September, is a global event dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of rivers to our environment, livelihoods, and collective future. This year’s theme, “Clean Rivers, Healthy Communities,” echoed the CBDA’s mission and emphasized the essential role rivers play in providing drinking water, supporting agriculture, sustaining fisheries, and protecting biodiversity.

In his address, the Managing Director/CEO reflected on the tragic flooding of September 10, 2024, when the Alau Dam overflowed, resulting in loss of life, displacement, and destruction. He called for renewed commitment to sustainable river management, stressing that collective responsibility is crucial to preventing such disasters in the future.

The day’s program featured field visits to selected rivers and dumping sites, where the MD/CEO and the General Manager of the Borno State Environmental Protection Agency (BOSEPA) engaged with media representatives. These engagements highlighted the urgent need for responsible waste management, conservation practices, and stronger collaboration among stakeholders.

The event also witnessed the participation of distinguished stakeholders, including the Commissioner of Environment, Commissioner of Water Resources, General Manager of BOSEPA, Provost of the College of Freshwater and Fisheries (Baga), and the Executive Director of the Lake Chad Research Institute (LCRI). Their presence reinforced the shared commitment to safeguarding rivers and ensuring their long-term sustainability.

The program concluded with closing prayers, symbolizing a collective pledge to protect and preserve our rivers for generations to come.

As the CBDA continues to play a central role in the sustainable development of the Chad Basin, this year’s World Rivers Day celebration stands as a reminder of the Authority’s unwavering commitment to river conservation, community resilience, and environmental stewardship.