Former Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, has pledged to strengthen environmental conservation and climate action following his emergence as President of the Board of Trustees (BOT) of the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF).

Osinbajo pledged yesterday while delivering his acceptance speech at the Foundation’s 37th Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Lagos.

He paid tribute to the founding fathers of the NCF, particularly its President Emeritus, Chief Philip Asiodu, for their foresight in promoting environmental conservation decades before climate change became a global concern.

The former Vice President also acknowledged the contributions of the late Chief S.L. Edu and other founding trustees, saying their vision laid the foundation for Nigeria’s environmental conservation movement.

According to him, the founders recognised the importance of biodiversity conservation long before climate change gained global prominence.

Osinbajo said the effects of climate change had become increasingly evident across Nigeria through flooding and rising temperatures.

He noted that parts of Europe were experiencing temperatures of between 38 and 41 degrees Celsius, underscoring the urgency of collective climate action.

Osinbajo described the NCF as Nigeria’s foremost non-governmental organisation dedicated to environmental conservation and climate action.

He commended the Foundation’s trustees, members, management, staff, volunteers and development partners for sustaining its conservation programmes over the years.

Accepting his new responsibility, Osinbajo pledged to build on the achievements of his predecessors and deepen collaboration with stakeholders.

Asiodu, the Foundation’s President Emeritus, served the NCF for more than 20 years and stepped down from the position at the age of 92.