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Nigeria Observes World Environment Day

evironment dayNigeria, yesterday, observed the World Environmental Day for 2015, with President Muhammadu Buhari promising that his government would ensure environmental justice for sustainable growth and development of Nigeria.
At a Gala Night held at the Banquet Hall of the Aso Villa in Abuja to celebrate the Day, the President noted that environmental problems including flood, climate change are assuming a higher dimension and that they should be properly handled so as not to pose danger to Nigeria’s food security. Represented by Vice-President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, the President commended the theme of this year’s celebration which is he said speaks of a crucial aspect of environmental justice.
The themes, he added, reminds us that our world belongs to seven billion others aside from ourselves and that their habits as people and policies as government determine whether we will treat others fairly or justly.
“Without tackling environmental degradation efforts towards building, modernizing and uplifting Nigeria will be jeopardized.”
President Buhari, however, assured that the wind of change being witnessed across all sectors of the society, including the environmental sector would ensure sustainable growth and development, stressing that the administration would further consolidate on the Great Green Wall programme, the renewable energy project as well as other environmental friendly programmes and projects.
“On our part, we will consolidate on the gains so far achieved under this project. We will provide the support needed to ensure that the wind of change that had come the way of our polity comes also to the environment sector for sustainable growth and development.”
He emphasized the need for the environmental issues to be properly managed to ensure that they support growth.
In his remarks, the Head of Service of the Federation, Danladi Kifasi, stressed the need for Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to develop environmental regulations and procedures to ensure clean environment in the MDAs.
He said that from 2016, award would be given to the most environmental-friendly MDAs, even as he advised all MDAs to put in place a sound waste management system, the system, he he said would help in reducing cost of governance.
Earlier the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Environment, Mrs. Nana Fatima Mede, said the event was marked to care for the Earth, adding that the Ministry had recorded appreciable gains in ensuring a safe environment in the country.
She used the occasion to further call on Nigerians to imbibe an environmental friendly culture both in their homes and work places.
Highlights of the event was the recognition of six Nigerians for their contributions towards ensuring a safe environment. They are the former Minister of Defence, retired Lt. General Theophilous
Danjuma (Champion for the conservation of biodiversity) and Mrs. Ajoke Mohammed, Pioneer Horticulturist and Environmental Conservationists.
Others are Chief Philip Asiodu, President of the Nigerian Conservation Foundation; Chief Giwa Bisi Rodipe, an advocate for private participation in forest conservation and industrialization; Dr. Newton Jibunoh, an advocate for the fight against desert encroachment and Mr. Olatunji Oyefuga, Developer of environmental management technology systems.
June 5 of every year has been set aside to mark the World Environmental Day, while the theme for this year’s World Environmental Day is “Seven Billion Dreams. One Planet. Consume with care.” [myad]

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