FeaturedNews

Focus On Living Sustainably With Nature, Sanwo-Olu Urges Lagosians

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-olu on Sunday harped on the need for everyone to live sustainably with nature for the benefit of mankind.

The Governor who emphasized this in a message to the year 2022 World Environment Day finale held at the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium in Alausa Ikeja, noted that it had become imperative to shift to a greener lifestyle through both policies and individual choices .

Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Office of Environmental Services, Dr. Omobolaji Gaji, Governor Sanwo-Olu pointed out that the impacts of the triple planetary emergencies namely; Climate change, loss of biodiversity and Environmental Pollution have negatively made the achievements of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) less successful.

Noting that “time is running out while nature is in emergency mode and without action, exposure to air pollution beyond safe guidelines would increase by 50 per cent within the decade, the Governor called for collective action to check the impact of climate change through the State’s greening and restoration of indigenous trees and also to end open defecation by 2025.

“While our individual consumption choices do make a difference, it is collective action that will create the transformative environmental change we need, so we can advance to a more sustainable and just Earth, where everyone can flourish. Everyone must be alive to their responsibilities on this issue of the environment and also note that sustainable consumption and production drive economic development, mitigate climate change, environmental pollution which will positively impact health and alleviate poverty.” He said.

Earlier in an address, Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tunji Bello said the Government through the Ministry of the Environment & Water Resources had implemented several projects and programmes including Tree planting, Climate change summit, Environmental bees clubs in schools, waste to wealth and ban on open defecation to mitigate the challenges.

The guest lecturer, Dr. Ayo Tella while delivering his paper noted that Anthropogenic effects caused by human activities such as felling of trees had altered the earth’s natural systems and and survival of many species.

Various categories of awards were presented to corporate organizations, Community Development Areas, schools amongst others in recognition of their contributions to sustainable environment.

Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Mr Abolaji Abayomi, (left), Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture Mrs Tokunbo Emopkai (middle) presenting an award to the students and Teacher of Iba Housing Estate Senior High School, winner of the Environmental School Debate at the 2022 World Environment Day

Related Articles

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Back to top button