• Rivers govt laments impacts of environmental pollution
• Stakeholders call for academic inputs in climate change policies

The Federal Controller of Environment, Lagos, Margaret Akinyemi, yesterday, reiterated that the Federal Government is committed to ensuring a sustainable environment, expressing determination to attain the 50 million tree planting target.

Akinyemi spoke at an event organised by the ministry in Lagos, to mark the 2024 World Environment Day, entitled, ‘Land restoration, desertification and drought resilience.’

Trees contribute to the environment by providing oxygen, improving air quality, climate, water and soil conservation, as well as providing support for wildlife.

She said that with the reality of climate change, it has become an undeniable fact that everyone needs to lend a helping hand to the environment, and create awareness on how to halt damages being done by humans to the environment.

Akinyemi charged Nigerians to preserve land and its resources, adding: “Our land remains our future, and whatever we do to it today impacts the future. The simple thing to do is to plant a tree and the Federal Ministry of Environment is focused on planting 50 million trees.”

The guest lecturer, Dr Excellence Akeredolu, lamented that 80 per cent of deforestation is from raising cattle or clearing land for crops, stressing that cutting down trees to use the wood for building materials and other products, as well as clearing land to build houses, roads and other structures, are drivers of deforestation.

On his part, the Zonal Head, National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), Olisa Mbanefo, represented by the Head, Technical, Adijat Bankole, expressed concerns that about 350,000 hectares of land are lost yearly to desertification.

ALSO, the Rivers State Government has decried the impacts of environmental pollution on communities in the state and across the Niger Delta region.

The Commissioner for Environment, Sydney Tambari Gbara, during activities to mark this year’s World Environment Day in Port Harcourt, yesterday, lamented that the ecosystem in Rivers communities have been badly hampered by pollution, climate change, and biodiversity decimation.

MEANWHILE, to stop desertification, build drought resilience and ensure land restoration across the country, experts have called on the Federal Government to embrace academic inputs and champion efforts such as recycling, tree planting and conservation projects in the fight to preserve the environment.

They made the call, yesterday, at a programme organised by Trinity University, Yaba, to mark the World Environment Day yesterday.

Speaking on the theme, ‘Land Restoration, Desertification and Drought Resilience,’ Deputy Vice Chancellor, University of Lagos, Prof. Bolanle Oboh, said that land degradation, desertification and drought are environmental issues that have a global impact affecting all spheres of life.

She said: “The impact of these environmental issues can be felt in Nigerian food security, flooding, incidence of pest, biodiversity loss, increasing mortality, incidence of diseases, ecosystem damage and soil erosion.”

Oboh noted that the government must prioritise academic inputs in policy development to tackle environmental challenges.”

She said academics can provide scientific evidence to inform policy makers in developing effective regulations and incentive programmes that promote sustainable land use practices. According to her, research on climate modelling and desertification process to develop risk assessment tools and early warning systems for droughts, can help communities prepare for droughts and mitigate their impact.

The deputy vice chancellor called for effective solutions to these problems and collaboration between academics, policymakers, NGOs, local communities, and extension agents. She added that academics need to tailor their research to address the specific needs and challenges faced by local communities.

In his welcome address, Vice-Chancellor, Trinity University, Professor Clement Olusegun Olaniran Kolawole, said the planet is facing unprecedented challenges with climate change, deforestation, and unsustainable land use practices leading to devastating consequences, including land degradation, desertification, and droughts.

He said these issues not only affect ecosystems but also have far-reaching impacts on human well-being, food security, and economic development.
Kolawole said the university, through research, education, and community engagement, is committed to finding solutions and inspiring action.

Representative, Trashusers, Temituokpe Akuirene, stressed the need to promote recycling of wastes and managing it appropriately to tackle environmental problems. He said if people take responsibility for proper disposal of waste, they will contribute positively to improving the environment.

Victor Oyejide from Recycleledge, highlighted how people can generate wealth from waste and explore the recycle value chain. He also called for synergy to engender environmental resilience.

Chief Lecturer, Yaba College of Technology, Dr. Oluseun Popoola, said everyone has a role to play in combating land degradation, particularly through planting of trees, raising awareness, initiating conservation projects and joining advocacy groups on environment preservation to drive efforts.