LAGOS STATE GOVERNMENT REFUNDS 145 FORMER SUBSCRIBERS OF EGAN HOUSING ESTATE
admin By Oyebola Owolabi
Nigerians must adopt a renewed sense of purpose by respecting the ecosystem and planet that has sustained human existence for decades, the Lagos State government has said.
Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources Tokunbo Wahab made the call at the celebration of the 2024 Walk For Nature at Onikan Stadium. He said everyone must ensure a sustainable future for generations unborn through their actions.
The Walk for Nature is celebrated every third Saturday in October. This year’s theme, which marks the 18th edition, is ‘Land Restoration, Desertification and Drought Resilience, #Generation restoration. It was done in collaboration with the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NFC).
Wahab, who was represented by the Special Adviser on Environment, Engr. Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu, said the event is to raise awareness and the people’s consciousness on the need to protect and conserve nature.
According to him, the theme is a pointer to the challenges being faced globally as a result of natural factors, anthropogenic factors and unsustainable practices within the environment.
He stated that land degradation, desertification and drought are interconnected challenges affecting the livelihood of people worldwide, and that these issues are exacerbated by deforestation, overgrazing, unsustainable land uses such as soil erosion, depreciation and so on.
The commissioner also noted that the loss of fertile land space and declining biodiversity increases vulnerability of the ecosystem, having far reaching consequences on food security and human well- being.
He added that the challenges of human activities have become evident with the escalating impact of depreciation of natural resources, resulting in land and habitat loss, thus affecting biodiversity and increasing the effect of climate change.
He said: “Lagos, being a coastal city, is shielded from the dry wind of desertification and drought from the Sahara, it is affected by the effect of climate change such as coastal erosion and land degradation.
“To this end, climate resilient actions are being encouraged by the government in line with the THEMES PLUS agenda of Mr Governor, in encouraging tree planting, building of more parks and gardens, collaboration with NGOs on environmental sustainability, and the launching of the Lagos Climate Adaptation and Resilience Plan (LCARP).
“As a frontline state, we must continually strive for improvement; lots of biological and physical solutions will better protect our dear state, the biological solution being low hanging fruits that can be quickly implemented. We must, as a matter of urgency, protect our mangroves which are nature’s gift against coastal erosion and protect our wetlands from encroachment.
“Mangrove afforestation is germane to the government, and collaborative efforts are ongoing to ensure restoration.
“As demands for a more sustainable environment increases, it is important to stress that the partnership with the private sector equally plays a crucial role in ensuring a more sustainable Lagos.”
Wahab thanked the NCF for partnering the government, and for its efforts in conserving 78 hectares of land in the Lekki area serving as a huge buffer protecting the state and biodiversity, mitigating the effects of climate change, as well as bringing nature closer to man.
Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr. Gaji Omobolaji represented by his Drainage and Water Resources counterpart, ENGR Mahmood Adegbite said the UN Decade of Ecosystem Restoration is upon everyone and must strive to restore the degraded ecosystem, increase the advocacy so that no one is left behind in driving eco- restoration projects through financial commitments for the benefit of nature and the people of the State.
According to him, “In this regard we must not only adopt mitigative measures but ensure adaptation measures to strengthen our resilience. We are open to partnerships and collaborations on Environmental Sustainability. The Walk for Nature is a symbol of the Ministry’s commitment to SDG 17 in partnership with the Nigeria Conservation Foundation”.
Chairman of the NCF National Executive Council, Justice Bukola Adebiyi said the NCF has consistently canvassed for Sustainable Land Management (SLM), Water Conservation Techniques, Community-Based Natural Resource Management, and implementation of the Great Green Wall Initiative, as practical solutions to the problem of desertification in Nigeria.
