United Kingdom-based group, Institute of Sustainability and Environmental Professionals has saluted the Nigerian Environmental Society, NES, for its 40th anniversary celebration, urging the practitioners to step up good environmental governance in the country.
The President and Chief Executive Officer, Sarah Mukherjee,in a virtual presentation at the event in Abuja, described the Society as “a beacon of hope for Nigeria’s environmental transformation and sustainability” to meet the global best practice.
Mukherjee who spoke on Nigeria’s Contribution to Global Climate Action, congratulated the NES’ founding fathers for maintaining strong commitment to stabilise environmental advocacy, policy development,and capacity building in the past four decades.
She also said that they are proud to associate with Nigerian counterpart to celebrate 40 years of the society’s dedication to shaping national policies in the sector, like Climate Change Act and Environmental Impact Assessment Bill, saying ,“It is a landmark achievement.”
Explaining further, the Institute President commended the members serving on inter-ministerial committees to offer technical advice, and represented Nigeria at various international environmental negotiations.
She however, drew parallels between Nigeria’s environmental challenges and those faced globally, citing issues like waste management, pollution control, and energy efficiency as “shared struggles that demand shared learning and solutions.”
“There is so much that we can learn from each other, examples of flood adaptation work in Copenhagen where overflow areas were transformed into flood-proof cycling lanes.These are the kinds of innovations that reflect what sustainable urban living can look like.”
Earlier, NES National President, Dr. Efegbidiki Okobia, regretted that the country is facing a waste management crisis,describing it as worsening national disaster, and called for legislation, public enlightenment and strong institutional frameworks.
Okobia hinted that they will soon launch the Nigerian Environmental Outlook, a new policy tool that will track national environmental indicators and guide evidence-based policymaking.
“Our roadmap will focus on practical implementation of the Nationally Determined Contributions and ensure climate commitments reach the grassroots,” he added.
In a goodwill message, Mr. Hamid Adekunle, one of the society’s founding members, reflected on its humble beginnings and expressed gratitude for its growth, saying,we were ten members who started the Society. Thank God that I am alive to see 40 years of the seed we sowed.
He congratulated the current leadership for achieving the long-sought professionalisation of environmental practice, urging the next generation to prioritise research and innovation that would address Nigeria’s unique environmental realities.
“We would like to see the society focusing on research, science and technology that reflect who we are as a country. Let us look at the challenges of our regions and craft local solutions, not imported prescriptions.”
