The Federal Government on Tuesday called on the National Association of Hydrogeologists (NAH) to regulate and manage quackery and all forms of unprofessional practices in the country’s water sector.

Minister of Water Resources, Mr Suleiman Adamu, made this call at the 33rd Annual Conference and Exhibitions of the Nigerian Association of Hydrogeologists (NAH), in Abuja.

The theme of the conference is, “Prospects and Challenges of Sustainable Management of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) in Nigeria.’’

Adamu said this partnership was necessary in order to accelerate the country’s journey towards meeting the Sustainable Development Goal six by 2030.

He said the invaluable contributions of hydrogeologists to the water sector was commendable, saying promoting capacity building programmes for best practices in the fields of hydrogeology and geosciences was crucial.

“No doubt, such commendable initiatives have resulted in the sustainable development and management of the nation’s water resources and I urge you to keep it up.

“However, I seek more support of your professional Association and other regulatory bodies such as the Council of Mining Engineering and Geosciences (COMEG) in stamping out quackery.

“These professional bodies will end all forms of unprofessional practices in the water sector in order to accelerate our journey to meeting the SDG 6 by 2030.’’

Adamu noted that prevailing extreme climate events such as flooding and drought were already having serious negative impacts on the Nigeria populace.

He listed such impacts to include drying up of water bodies such as the Lake Chad, depletion of groundwater levels in Borno, Yobe and other states, and degradation of aquatic life.

Dr Martin Eduvie, NAH President, said inclusion of his members in Federal Government’s efforts to achieve the SDG on water and sanitation by 2030 was important, saying climate change had adversely impacted communities.

He said the association had constituted a committee to bring concrete actions towards finding solutions to the myriad of challenges in water resources management.

He noted that conference was an opportunity to interact and exchange ideas on managing groundwater resources in line with global best practices.

Highlight of the event was the formal inauguration of the `Water Resources’ Journal and conferment of honorary fellowship awards to selected guests.

Baro Empire Hill or Sir Lugard Empire Hill is a 150 ft ground level hill, tourist and location of the Colonial Nigeria high frequency radio station that was installed by Sir Fredrick Lugard at Baro, Nigeria.

The 110 years Radio station is a 25 kilowatt solid state analogue transmitter a high frequency radio and the hill was where the colony masters built their administrative residents for middle level staff including military and civilians cemetery and playing ground of the colonial workers who died during their service, although Sir Lugard respectively used caravan in climbing the hill while his soldiers trek.

Mount Tabor is a distinctive mountain that is considered to be the place where certain historic events took place, and it is located at the eastern end of the Jezreel Valley in Lower Galilee, within the State of Israel.

As it rises with its distinctive shape above the surrounding flat and fertile valley, Tabor was an important Biblical site from both, Old and New Testaments, which nowadays is visited by plenty of people.

According to some historians, it was here that the biblical Battle of Mount Tabor took place in mid 12 century, during the time of the Book of Judges between Canaanite forces of the king of Hazor and the Israelite army led by Barak and Deborah.

There is also the belief by many Christians who consider that this was the place of the Transfiguration of Jesus, which in fact is an event reported in the New Testament when Jesus is transfigured and becomes radiant in glory upon a mountain.

Still, the half-sphere shaped mountain rises up to 575 meters (1,886 feet) above the sea, and as it is an isolated hill, it constitutes a separate geological form when compared to the mountains in the vicinity. One of the most interesting features is the impressive Roman Catholic church, better known as the Church of the Transfiguration, atop Tabor, which was built between 1919 and 1924.

Designed by the Italian architect Antonio Barluzzi, the church was built upon the ruins of a Byzantine church from 5 and 6 century, in addition to the Crusader church from 12 century. In addition, there is also an Eastern Orthodox sanctuary that was built by 1862.

Nevertheless, Mount Tabor was once upon a time covered with vegetation that was typical for Ancient Israel, but with the conquests of the Ottoman Empire, the tree were felled for the use of the charcoal industry.

There were efforts during 60s and 70s to bring back the landscape that was once typical for the area, and nowadays visitors can enjoy in the Mount Tabor Oak trees together with the Palestine Oak trees which are growing very fast here.

With the hiking path which is part of the Israel National Trail, there is a long path that goes up the mountain from the Gazit Junction via the village of Shibli, surrounding the summit and then descending on the other side towards the Arab village of Daburiyya, in the direction of the Nazareth mountains.

Ultimately, whether there were really some historic events that occurred here, the historians shall say definitely, while for now every visitor can enjoy in the interesting landscape and interesting religious objects which are standing atop Mount Tabor for more than a century.