The Director of Training at the National Water Research Institute (NWRI), Kaduna, Dr. O. O. Oni, has restated the World Bank's commitment to the University of Ilorin's water research project.

Dr. Oni, who disclosed this last Tuesday (January 26, 2016) at a workshop on the adaptation of operational manual for the North Central Network, held at the University of Ilorin, said that the World Bank had noted the determination of the University towards the success of water research.

The NWRI Director of Training explained that the Institute had not made good its financial commitment to the University of Ilorin because of its zero budget allocation last year.

On the rationale for the workshop, Dr. Oni explained that it was to look into the 2015 operating manual in order to see how it could be domesticated in the University and fashion a new way to seek modern ways of operations. The NWRI Director pointed out that the workshop would help to define roles and operations, adding that it would also allow the Institute to understand the University's internal vision.

He added that the workshop would enable the Institute to carry along relevant agencies and stakeholders in water research, while commending the University of Ilorin for "its usual cooperation".

Dr. Oni said, "NWRI is committed to the practical training of sector stakeholders to develop their capacities and equip them with skills for implementing integrated water resources management; it is also in pursuance of the Institute seeks to provide leadership and focus on the conduct of applied research; acquisition, analysis, storage and dissemination of water resources data and information in Nigeria."

In his address, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. AbdulGaniyu Ambali, who was represented at the workshop by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (RTI), Prof. Gabriel Olatunji, described the NWRI assignment as a national assignment, stressing that water is life.

He noted that for every space exploration, what is most critical is to find water in other planets because life cannot survive without water. He submitted that the University has made the best use of the resources provided by the NWRI. The Vice-Chancellor said, "Without proper planning as you are doing today, things will not work well. Thank you for confirming to us that we have done you proud. This University does not have a single abandoned project. We complete all projects and do an excellent job".

He charged participants to take maximum benefits of the workshop, noting that "there is the need to work harder in order to prove that we can compete with the advanced countries".

In her own address, the Director of the Centre for Research Development and In-House Training (CREDIT) Prof. (Mrs.) T. A. Oladiji, pointed out that the commitment of the NWRI is very commendable, noting that money is the least problem when people have good ideas.

Prof. Oladiji disclosed that there are funding agencies seeking good ideas to fund, pleading with the participants to make useful contributions to the centre and their respective institutions.

In a goodwill message, the representative of the Federal Ministry of Water Resources, Mr. Chuks Nbaike, charged the University of Ilorin to ensure that the operational guideline is fully adhered to. Mr. Nbaike commended the Vice-Chancellor for the good works he is doing in the University. "We have seen evidence of what you are doing. We are hundred per cent assured that things are moving fine here", he said.

NWRI, which is a parastatal that coordinates community based, applied research and information dissemination for the water sector in Nigeria, organises training, research and technical services.