PRESS RELEASE

Water Ministry Partners Nestlé Nigeria on Advancement of Water Quality Management in Nigeria.

In a move to promote safe and sustainable water practices, the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation (FMWRS) has announced a collaborative partnership with Nestlé Nigeria to drive nationwide Water Quality Management Campaigns. This initiative supports the goals of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda in the water sector.

This commitment was made by the Honourable Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr. Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, during a courtesy visit by the management of Nestlé Nigeria and members of the Organized Private Sector in Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (OPS-WASH) led by Nestlé Corporate Communications, Public Affairs, and Sustainability Lead, Victoria Uwadoka to his office today in Abuja.

The Minister emphasized that efficient water resource management is essential for minimizing public health threats such as cholera and diarrhea, while also helping to mitigate the adverse impacts of flooding. He assured the Ministry’s full support for Nestlé’s campaign and pledged timely collaboration to deliver impactful results.

“The Ministry is committed to working with Nestlé Nigeria to improve water quality across the country. This partnership is in line with our mission to ensure safe water access and support the health and wellbeing of all Nigerians,” Prof. Utsev said.

In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary of FMWRS, Mr. Richard Pheelangwah, applauded Nestlé’s presentation on water quality improvement and pledged the Ministry’s full support for the initiative.

Speaking on behalf of Nestlé Nigeria, Victoria Uwadoka, Corporate Communications, Public Affairs, and Sustainability Lead, stressed the urgency of bridging the knowledge gap around water quality.

“Not all clear water is clean. Poor water quality continues to affect health and increase the prevalence of waterborne diseases. Through our National Water Quality Advocacy Campaign, we aim to raise awareness, educate communities, engage stakeholders, and drive sustainable action,” Uwadoka said.

She further added that the campaign is built on three key pillars: Raising Awareness and Educating, Engaging Stakeholders, and Driving Sustainable Actions.

Providing further insight into the project, Dr. Nicholas Igwe, National Coordinator of OPS-WASH, highlighted that this collaboration goes beyond traditional Corporate Social Responsibility.

“This initiative is focused on long-term water rehabilitation. In Abaji Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), 16 communities will benefit, while 8 communities in Agbara, Ogun State, are also set to receive support. Additionally, two farming communities in Abaji and Agbara will benefit from the introduction of water harvesting systems for irrigation,” Dr. Igwe noted.

The Director of Water Quality Control and Sanitation at the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, Mrs. Elizabeth Ugoh, noted that the ongoing baseline report on water quality and its parameters will significantly strengthen the water quality collaboration with Nestlé Nigeria.

In attendance were some Directors of the Ministry including Director, Water Supply, Mr. Babarinde Segun Mukaila, Director Planning and Technical Support Services, Engr. Adeyinka Adenopo, Directors 11 & 111 of the Department of Water Quality Control and Sanitation, Habu Jamilu, mni and Ibiyemi Olu-Daniels, and Director Special Duties, Chucks Mbaike, respectively

Mrs. Funmi Imuetinyan

Director, Information and Public Relations.

04/07/2025

PRESS RELEASE

FG Hosts Workshop on Gender Mainstreaming and GBV Success Stories Dissemination under TRIMING Project.

The Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, in collaboration with the World Bank and other critical stakeholders, convened a Gender Mainstreaming and Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Success Stories Dissemination Workshop under the Transforming Irrigation Management in Nigeria (TRIMING) Project, with the theme: “From Tradition to Transformation, Led by Women”, today in Kano.

The Honourable Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr. Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Richard Pheelangwah, in his keynote address emphasized that the TRIMING Project was designed to enhance irrigation systems and promote integrated water resource management, with gender and social safeguards as core components.

According to Prof. Utsev, the project has transformed women, youth, and vulnerable groups from being marginalized to becoming vital contributors in agriculture and water governance.

He highlighted the achievements of the project, including the development of GBV Action Plans across all schemes for risk mitigation and survivor support, women’s leadership in Water Users Associations (WUAs), enhancing inclusive decision-making, and the economic empowerment of women through active roles in irrigation management.

Prof. Utsev added that the extensive capacity-building on gender sensitivity and GBV prevention, the strengthening of local capacitie, including youth champions and gender desk officers, cultural norm shifts through media, dialogues, and storytelling in local languages, as well as alignment with global best practices and World Bank environmental and social standards, are additional achievements of the project.

The Minister thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the World Bank, and the Project Monitoring Unit for their support in driving TRIMING’s success. He urged the replication of its gender and GBV initiatives in other projects and emphasized that achieving a gender-equitable, GBV-free society requires ongoing commitment and collaboration.

Engr. Hauwa Sadique Mohammed, Deputy Director Irrigation, delivering the welcome address on behalf of the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Richard Pheelangwah, emphasized the workshop as a key milestone in advancing inclusivity, equity, and safety, particularly for women, girls, and vulnerable groups in the TRIMING Project. The Permanent Secretary highlighted that from inception, the project prioritized gender equality, GBV prevention, and social inclusion, with gender mainstreaming embedded across all stages to ensure equal opportunities and safe spaces.

Delivering a comprehensive overview of the project, the Project Coordinator, Engr. Ipinlaye Olaiya, emphasized the central role of gender mainstreaming across all components of the TRIMING Project, noting that the deliberate integration of gender perspectives was not only strategic but essential to the long-term sustainability and impact of the interventions.

Goodwill messages were delivered by the Managing Director of Hadejia Jama’are River Basin Development Authority, Engr. Rabiu Suleiman Yusuf, representative of the academia,Prof. Restituta Igube from the University of Abuja, and Commissioners from the Gombe State Ministry of Women Affairs, Asmau Mohammed Iganus as well as the representative of Kano State Ministry of Women Affairs, Children, and the Disabled. They all emphasized the significance of inclusivity, sustainability, and community ownership in gender-responsive water and agricultural development.

A key moment of the workshop was the presentation of badges to Women Leaders of Water Users Associations (WUAs) of Sokoto Rima River Basin Development Authority, Jigawa, Kano, Gombe and Zamfara States.

Signed
Mrs. Funmi Imuetinyan
Director Information and PR

25/06/2026

The deal, signed on June 16, 2025, during the China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo (CAETE) in Changsha, China, includes a large-scale titanium extraction project in Salima and the creation of a state-of-the-art mineral processing facility in the country.

Following the signing, the country’s Minister of Mining, Dr. Ken Zikhale Ng’oma, hailed the deal as a strategic breakthrough, emphasizing its alignment with President Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera’s long-term vision of transforming mining into a key driver of the national economy.

“This MoU signals a new era; anchored on sustainability, innovation, and inclusive growth. It aligns squarely with President Chakwera’s agenda to turn mining into a driver of national development,” Ng’oma said.

Notably, Hunan Sunwalk CEO and Founder Hou Xingwang described the agreement as a strategic milestone for both nations, stating that it will, “facilitate the flow of capital, technology, and skilled human resources between China and Malawi”

He also expressed interest in exploring investments in agriculture and other sectors to contribute to Malawi’s broader economic development.

Ng’oma emphasized that the partnership goes beyond raw material extraction, delivering technological transfer, strict environmental compliance, and human resource development.

He highlighted Hunan Sunwalk’s successful performance in Zimbabwe as a testament to the company’s capabilities.

Reassuring the public, the Minister said, “This is the first time Malawi has entered into such a comprehensive MoU with a multinational mining corporation.”

“We ensured that due diligence was conducted thoroughly, and we are confident that the interests of Malawians are well protected.” He added.

Officials from both parties described the agreement as a “win-win” venture, with potential to create thousands of new jobs, infrastructure development, and enhance economic growth.

The Chinese company has reportedly commenced exploration and feasibility studies in the Salima District.