Group names Tinubu ‘Generalissimo of the Environment’

United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, has charged stakeholders in the environment sector to demonstrate stronger resolve in finding lasting solutions to plastic pollution choking the planet.

Guterres made the call in a message to mark this year’s World Environment Day, holding today (June 5) globally. The theme for this year’s celebration is: “Beat Plastic Pollution”. The campaign aims to raise global awareness about the harmful impacts of plastic waste on ecosystems, wildlife, and human health

It is predicted that by 2040, plastic leakage to the environment may grow by 50 per cent, and that pollution may creep into human bodies through food, water and air.

According to the UN Secretary General, plastic waste clogs rivers, pollutes the ocean, and endangers wildlife, adding that as it breaks-down into smaller and smaller parts, it infiltrates every corner of the earth: from the top of Mount Everest to the depths of the ocean; from human brains to human breast milk.

MEANWHILE, in its remarks on the day, the Association of Waste Managers of Nigeria (AWAMN) has lauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his administration’s achievements in environmental sustainability, proclaiming him the ‘Generalissimo of the Environment’.

The National President of AWAMN,Dr Olugbenga Adebola, while addressing journalists, emphasised that the celebration transcended politics, focusing instead on performance, antecedents, future plans and Renewed Hope Assurances.

He recalled Tinubu’s pioneering efforts in waste management during his tenure as Lagos State Governor, which saw the megacity shed its dirtiest state moniker to become one of Africa’s cleanest, a feat that earned multiple national and international accolades.

“Lagos, which was once tagged as the dirtiest state in the world, was transformed into one of the cleanest cities in Africa,” Adebola stated. He attributed this success to Tinubu’s dedication and commitment to the environment.

“The president particularly highlighted the pro-poor home-grown waste management model tagged the PSP, which revolutionised house-to-house waste collection and eradicated mountains of waste from the cityscape.”

The model, he noted, became a blueprint adopted by nearly 30 Nigerian states and attracted study tours from numerous African countries.”