Experts in environmental health have called for greater community participation and the involvement of young people in efforts to protect the environment and curb pollution across Nigeria.

The experts made the call during activities marking this year’s World Environmental Health Day, stressing that environmental protection should not be left to government alone but treated as a collective responsibility.

The theme of the celebration, “Environmental Health: Standing with Science to Protect Communities,” was described by the experts as a call for communities to understand the role of science in identifying environmental hazards and adopting measures to protect public health.

Speaking at the event, Professor Godson Ana of the Department of Public Health Sciences, Faculty of Public Health, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, emphasised the importance of science in preventing environmental pollution and promoting healthier communities.

He said regular and sustained awareness programmes were necessary to educate members of the public about environmental health risks and encourage them to take practical steps towards preserving their surroundings.

According to him, the theme was particularly relevant to environmental health practitioners because it seeks to increase awareness, stimulate action and promote community-level participation in making the environment safer, healthier and more sustainable.

He said: “Today is very special, today is very unique because the International Federation of Environmental Health carefully coined this theme to be able to conscientise, increase awareness and to be able to stimulate action right down at the community level so that the world is a safer place, healthy place and sustainable place for all mankind.”

The experts also stressed the need to introduce environmental health education to children at an early age, noting that young people could influence their peers and contribute to addressing environmental challenges in their communities.

They said involving pupils in environmental campaigns would help them develop a better understanding of pollution, environmental safety and the relationship between a healthy environment and human wellbeing.

A major highlight of the celebration was the inauguration of the Youth Environmental Sustainability (YES) Club, comprising students from public and private schools.

The initiative is expected to provide a platform for young people to participate in environmental awareness and sustainability activities while encouraging them to become advocates for cleaner and healthier communities.

The experts maintained that community participation was essential to the success of environmental protection efforts, as residents were better positioned to identify environmental challenges affecting their immediate surroundings.

They therefore urged communities to work with relevant institutions and environmental health practitioners in addressing pollution and other environmental hazards.

They also called for continuous public enlightenment on the health implications of environmental pollution and the need for Nigerians to adopt practices that would protect both human health and the environment.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) was also among institutions associated with the activities marking the celebration.