President Muhammadu Buhari has assured that his administration would
ensure ‘environmental justice’ for sustainable growth and development of
the country.
The President, who was represented by Vice-President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo,
stated this on Friday at the Gala Night to celebrate the World Environment
Day 2015, which held at the Banquet Hall, State House, Abuja.
“Our theme for the Environmental Day speaks of a crucial aspect of
environmental justice. It 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,” he said.
The President noted that environmental problems including flood, climate
change were assuming a higher dimension, warning that If not properly
handled they would have negative impact on Nigeria’s food security, saying
“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 therefore emphasized that, if environmental issues were properly
managed, they have the potential to support growth.
In his remarks, the Head of Service of the Federation, Mr 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 stated that from 2016, award would be given to the most
environmental-friendly MDAs, urging all MDAs to put in place a sound waste
management system, saying such system 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. She
disclosed 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. These awardees included
former Minister of Defence, retired Lt. Gen. 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, 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.’’