Towards sustainable water resource management in rural Nigeria: The role of communities

Access to water is crucial for healthy living and survival. In developing countries such as Nigeria, rural communities often suffer from a severe shortage of the supply of fresh, potable water. The need to change the tide has led to the inclusion of the adequate availability of water for allas one of the 2030 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Evidence shows that the lack or poor supply of freshwater could lead to a prevalence of waterborne diseases and might negatively affect economically important activities. While water sustainability deals with ensuring adequate supply of water for the present and future generations, water resource management is the strategy for achieving water sustainability. Considering the above, this article examines the literature on water resource management vis-à-vis the legal framework for water management in Nigeria. The article notes that rural communities in the country have a critical role to play in water resource management in the country and in the quest to attain the goals for water. It is recommended that policies should be implemented to provide for sustainable management of water as well as a strategy for educating rural communities on what they must do to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals for water management in Nigeria at the rural community level. For example, there is a need to provide for private sector led water development projects in rural areas backed by government subsidy as well as programmes to enlighten community leaders on their role in ensuring water sustainability. Keywords: Water, access to water, legal framework for water management, rural area, SDGs, Nigeria.

Are they not Nigerians? The obligation of the state to end discriminatory practices against persons with disabilities

Nigeria has ratified several international instruments that protect the rights of, and guarantee freedom from discrimination of persons with disabilities (PWD). Despite the above, the country is yet to fully implement the appropriate measures required to achieve the objective of protecting PWD. Successive administrations since the return to civil administration in the country in 1999 have not fulfilled the mandate in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) dealing with disability rights. While the passing into law in January 2019 of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act 2018 is commendable, it only reflects the pressure on the Federal Government of Nigeria by disability rights advocates and PWD. This article aims to, among others, highlight the plight of PWD in Nigeria, the need to protect their rights and guarantee their freedom from discriminatory practices. To achieve this aim, a review of international and domestic instruments, as well as literature on the subject, is undertaken. The article proposes that the Nigerian government should aim towards inclusivity and accommodation of PWD. For example, instead of merely establishing special schools for PWD, there should be a design to allow for the training of teachers to meet the needs of special children in regular schools.