• Rivers lament impact of pollution on communities
• Firm partners groups on ‘One Staff One Tree’ initiative
• NCF calls for collective action to restore ecosystem
• APWEN’s commitment to environmental stewardship
World Environment Day turns national focus towards land restoration where senior officials and experts drew attention to how humanity can counter three often-overlooked perils: land degradation, desertification and drought.
In Rivers, the state government decried the impacts of environmental pollution on communities in the Niger Delta region and called for actions to address the challenges of flooding, erosion, and environmental degradation.
The state’s Commissioner for Environment, Sydney Gbara, said the ecosystem in the communities has been hampered by pollution, climate change, and biodiversity decimation. According to him, the current economic woes are worsened because people’s sources of livelihood have been turned into dead zones.
The Commissioner said, “Through human activities, forests, and grasslands are being brought into extinction, reducing the strength of land to support the ecosystem, agricultural activities and communities. This means crops are failing, water sources are drying up, our economies are weakening and communities are becoming endangered, with the poorest of the poor being the hardest hit.”
Earlier, the former Commissioner for Environment, Prof Roseline Konya, who chaired the occasion charged politicians to focus their manifestos on protecting the environment.
Similarly, the Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC-Nigeria) reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the Niger Delta’s fragile ecosystem and promoting sustainable development. A statement by its Communication Officer, Faith Korodo, urged stakeholders to work together to address environmental challenges in the region.
In a related development, the Seven-Up Bottling Company (SBC) launched ‘One Staff One Tree’ initiative, a transformative green environment project to plant 2,500 trees across the country.
The company flagged off the initiative in partnership with Lekki Estates Residents and Stakeholders Association (LERSA), and Eco-Restoration Foundation (ERF) with a donation of 1,000 trees. The partnership with LERSA includes maintenance, ensuring the trees survive and make the desired impact on the environment.
The SBC Managing Director, Ziad Maalouf, highlighted the importance of trees in the green environment drive. “Trees are pivotal to combating climate change, enhancing ecological resilience, improving air quality, and fostering a greener urban environment,” he said.
The company’s Head of legal and Corporate Affairs, Nkemdirim Agboti, said the initiative aligns with the company’s sustainability commitment.
The Sustainability Manager, Lovelyn Okoye, noted SBC’s commitment to a green environment and urged Nigerians to embrace the green initiative by planting and preserving trees, as well as help in delivering a vibrant ecosystem for future generations.
“There’s a global target of planting one trillion trees to keep global temperature rise under control. As a company committed to environmental sustainability, we call on Nigerians to join this movement, and help pass on a healthy climate to the future generations,” she said.
LERSA President, Sulaimon Bello, noted that the critical step needed towards safeguarding the environment and promoting sustainable development.
At the forum, the Director General, Nigerian Conservative Foundation (NCF), Dr Joseph Onoja, said about 128 metres of land have been lost to the ocean between 2018 and 2022, adding that the proposed coastal road will stave off coastal erosion. He urged citizens to be environmentally responsible by planting trees.
In another event, the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) called for collective action to raise environmental awareness in restoring the ecosystem and preventing degradation.
According to the foundation, its 2017 Green Recovery Nigeria project aimed at restoring 25 per cent of Nigeria’s forest lands has been reduced to 10 per cent due to unsustainable developments that are leading to desert encroachment, coastal erosion, and destruction of lives and properties.
NCF Director General lamented that despite the efforts in promoting land ecosystem restoration, and combating desertification and drought for 44 years, forest cover has fallen below 10 per cent. He highlighted the urgency of the call to restore not only deserts but also our local environment.
Onoja emphasised that environmental conservation is fundamentally about human conservation, as activities on the environment directly impact humans. He urged banks to fund environmentally friendly projects instead of developments that replace natural habitats.
In a goodwill message, Citizenship and Sustainability Desk, Union Bank of Nigeria, Mrs Patricia Claire Iwhewhe, noted that the bank is committed to sustainability, reducing its carbon footprint, and conserving resources to protect wildlife and its inhabitants, as well as supporting eco-friendly initiatives.
The Group Head, Corporate Affairs, FCMB, Diran Olojo, lamented the improper disposal of waste, which damages the ecosystem and wildlife. He emphasised the need to be intentional in protecting nature and highlighted the importance of environmental care in preventing biodiversity loss.
He noted that the bank provided ₦13 billion for solar energy solutions, executed recycling projects across branches, partnered with Lagos State on environmental initiatives, and supported waste management projects, and empowered private sector participants with credit facilities.
Meanwhile, the Lagos Chapter of the Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN) reaffirmed its dedication to sustainable development and environmental stewardship.
Speaking in a public lecture themed “Empowering Nigerian Women Engineers to Lead Sustainable Solutions for Land Restoration and Resilient Futures,” Executive Director, Operations, Lagos Water Corporation, Helen Taiwo, highlighted the crucial role the group will play in shaping a sustainable future in the country.
“Land restoration is essential for environmental conservation. Nigerian women engineers bring expertise, creativity, and a unique perspective to the challenges of land degradation and environmental resilience,” she said.
Taiwo further highlighted the potential of using tree planting as an incentive for land restoration. “Planting trees for special occasions like anniversaries is a fantastic way to support land restoration efforts,” she added.
The APWEN Lagos Chapter has actively promoted laws supporting environmental sustainability and seeks to increase the number of women in environmental management and engineering. “We need to consider natural-based solutions,” Taiwo emphasized.
“Leaving wetlands undisturbed is crucial, as some ecosystems naturally combat flooding. We need policies in place for construction in wetlands to prevent degradation,” she said.
