Aliko Dangote Foundation Seeks Greater Investment in Water Supply

Emmanuella Igwe

As the World Water Week 2018 takes place in Stockholm, Sweden, the Aliko Dangote Foundation has expressed the belief that adequate provision of clean water can greatly help to reduce malnutrition in Nigeria.

To the Foundation, timely investment by governments at all levels, the private sector, and concerned stakeholders would help to address the emergency which was declared on the water and sanitation sector recently by the federal government.

The World Water Week, with the theme, ‘Water, ecosystem and human development’ Sweden, is billed to last between August 26 and 31.

Organised by the Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI), World Water Week (WWW) is the largest global event focusing on water sector and development-related challenges. The meeting brings together governments, experts, and private sector leaders to brainstorm solutions to the most pressing water-related challenges of today.

Speaking recently in Lagos on the water component of the Aliko Dangote Foundation’s Nutrition Programme, the Managing Director/CEO of the Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF), Ms. Zouera Youssoufou, said, “Within our flagship nutrition programme we have a substantial Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) component. We cannot be effective at fighting malnutrition if we don’t also provide clean drinking water to our beneficiaries.”

“We have a global water challenge, which is what SDG 6 is focused on solving. Achieving SDG 6 is essential for progress on all other SDGs and vice versa. Sustainable management of water and sanitation underpins wider efforts to end poverty, advance sustainable development and sustain peace and stability. We all have a part to play as Government, Private sector, development partners and individuals.”

This year’s World Water Week seeks to explore the need to safeguard the sustainability of vital ecosystems as habitats for plant and animal life, and as resources for human development and well-being.