Osun River contaminated, don’t drink from it, govt warns devotees, tourists
The Osun government has advised tourists, devotees and visitors to the grand finale of the annual Osun Osogbo Festival on Friday not to drink water from the Osun River because of contamination.
Commissioner for Health, Dr Rafiu Isamotu, gave the advice on Thursday in Osogbo.
He said the government embarked on the sensitisation to discourage people from drinking the water during the festival as it had been contaminated by the activities of artisanal miners and not good for human consumption.
“There are radio jingles on the health hazard of drinking water from the Osun River due to contamination.
“However, this is a cultural thing and no matter how hard you try, some people will not oblige, but we will continue to sensitise them.
“There may not be a quick fix to this pollution, but as a government, we will continue to do the needful.
“Government has taken cognisance of this pollution and is working really hard to prevent the activities of artisanal miners.
“It is a menace; it is very difficult, but we cannot fold our arms,’’ he stressed.
Mr Isamotu said public health officials would be at the grove during the festival to further sensitise people on the dangers of drinking the water.
The Osun Osogbo Festival is an annual event usually celebrated in August at the Osun sacred grove, in worship of the goddess of fertility.
The festival is usually attended by tourists from all over the world, as well as Osun devotees.
During the festival, tourists, visitors and devotees drink from the Osun River for its perceived divination, while some take the water home to bathe with.
According to the curator and site manager of Osun Osogbo Grove, Adekunle Fatai, no fewer than 60,000 devotees and tourists are expected at the grand finale on Friday.
The river is said to have been heavily contaminated with mercury, lead, cyanide and other injurious elements that are poisonous to human health.
A Geographical Information Analysis and Laboratory Tests carried out by a Non-governmental Organisation, Urban Alert, also affirmed the presence of heavy elements in the water.
(NAN)
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
World
WHO says risk of famine still present in Gaza
Although more food has recently reached the Gaza Strip, WHO’s representative to the Palestinian territories said the risk of famine has not yet been averted.
World
Over 400 people hospitalised in Vietnam over suspected food poisoning
Vietnam’s food safety department under the health ministry has ordered an investigation into the case.
States
Kano Fire Service saved 15 lives, N100 million property in April: Official
The service’s public relations officer, Saminu Abdullahi, said two persons died, while property worth N43.6 million was destroyed by fire during the period.
World
Helicopter crashes in India
A pilot was on Friday injured after a private helicopter he was flying crashed in India’s western state of Maharashtra, police said.
World
Ukraine Conflict: Russia jails anti-war critic
The prosecutor sought an 18-year sentence for Mr Nikolayev. According to Zona Solidarnosti, he pleaded guilty but did not express any regret.
Economy
OKX disables P2P for Nigerians, removes naira from platform
OKX is the second crypto platform to disable its P2P function for Nigerian users, following Binance’s disabling of P2P for Nigerian users.