Colonial masters behind Nigeria’s environmental woes, says Hamzat

Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, has accused colonial masters of laying the foundation for the environmental challenges confronting Nigeria.

Addressing the 68th yearly conference of the Historical Society of Nigeria (HSC) in Lagos, Hamzat said post-colonial industrialisation and globalisation combined to expand issues of the environment.

The deputy governor, who was special guest and represented by the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Culture, and Art, Mrs. Oloruntoyin Atekoja, observed: “The history of Nigeria is strongly intertwined with the environment. We must understand the history of the environment to enable us make informed decisions in today’s present challenges of the ecosystem.

“It is also important to note that the environmental condition during the pre-colonial era laid the foundation for many of the challenges that post-colonial Nigeria continues to face. These include deforestation, soil erosion, pollution and the degradation of the ecosystem, which are ongoing issues that require sustained combined efforts to address.”

He said the colonial era was characterised by exploitation of natural resources, with the consequences often overlooked in favour of economic gains.

Although there have been efforts by successive governments and non-governmental organisations to restore the ecosystem, the deputy governor said there is need for a multi-faceted approach in solving them, including government’s intervention, community participation and international cooperation.

President of HSC, Prof. Samuel Aghalino, in his opening remarks, pointed out that the theme of this year’s conference: “The Nigerian environment since the pre-colonial period,” was chosen to brainstorm on positive solutions to the nation’s challenges, and also canvass ways of reinventing the country.

For the presentation of the Kenneth Dike Memorial Lecture, the guest lecturer and a Professor of History and Economics at the University of Port Harcourt, Ben Naanen, said there must be clear action by government to address issues of the environment, especially flooding and pollution of the ecosystem.