Ogun-Osun Basin Chief Calls for Action Against Deforestation

Dr. Adedeji Ashiru, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority, called for an end to deforestation and indiscriminate waste disposal into waterways during a tree-planting exercise in Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Monday. This event was part of the 2026 World Rivers Day celebration, themed “No Forest, No Rivers, No Water, No Life.” Ashiru highlighted that global warming and climate change have led to unpredictable rainfall and increased flooding in Nigeria.

He emphasized that environmental protection is a collective responsibility, involving not just industries and government agencies but also ordinary citizens. The tree-planting initiative aimed to reinforce the importance of halting deforestation and protecting natural resources.

Ashiru urged residents to extend their environmental protection efforts to their neighborhoods, noting that waste dumped in drainage systems could contribute to flooding by blocking waterways.