LAGOS STATE GOVERNMENT REFUNDS 145 FORMER SUBSCRIBERS OF EGAN HOUSING ESTATE
admin - ‘Walk for Nature’ holds Saturday
By Oyebola Owolabi
The mandate to plant one million trees in 12 months is geared towards conserving nature and improving the quality of life of residents, the Lagos State government has said.
Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources Tokunbo Wahab stated this at a joint media briefing with the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF), preparatory to the 18th annual Walk for Nature.
Wahab noted that the goal is not only about planting trees, but a sustainable policy towards conserving the environment and the future.
He said: “The ministry will be collaborating with the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) to celebrate the 18th ‘Walk for Nature’ on Saturday, October 19. The walk aims to promote a healthy lifestyle and improve physical fitness of participants.
“The theme for this year is same as that of the World Environment Day, ‘Land Restoration, Desertification and Drought Resilience’, with the slogan ‘Our land, Our Future Generation Restoration, which is also apt because it support our tree planting mandate.
“I will like to re-emphasise to our people that greening is to conserve the environment, and it is for the future.”
The commissioner also stressed that the ‘Walk for Nature’ is in line with the Sustainable Development Goal 17, that a successful sustainable development agenda requires partnerships between governments, the private sector and civil society.
He noted that the programme has over the continued to create awareness and sensitise Lagosians on the importance of nature conservation, biodiversity, as well as increasing environmental health through reduction of vehicular emission.
“I therefore invite you all to join us and participate in this year’s walk. This year’s programme will be commemorated with a 3km walk that will take off from Onikan Stadium, at 7.15am,” Wahab added.
Director-General of NCF Dr Joseph Onoja expressed confidence that the collaboration has, over the years, yielded a positive reorientation and enhanced the advocacy for nature conservation.
He noted that land restoration and environment conservation talks about human conservation because the environment will naturally conserve itself’
Onoja said: “According to the United Nations (UN), this decade is the decade of eco-system restoration. It is therefore imminent at this time to draw peoples’ attention to the reality of environmental conservation.
“We live in precarious times, and so I urge residents to join the walk on Saturday because everyone must be ready to protect nature so it can in turn human existence.”
Others at the briefing were Permanent Secretaries Dr. Omobolaji Gaji and Engr. Mahamood Adegbite, among other top officials of the ministry and NCF.
