Nation
ILO Foresees 10m Jobs Through Environment Management
The International Labour Organisation (ILO) says 10 million jobs could be created and sustained around the world with sound environment management.
This is contained in a statement signed by Mr. Juan Somavia, the Director-General of ILO, made available to newsmen preparatory to World Environment Day on Saturday.
Somavia said this could be achieved by recovering degraded forests, wetlands and river systems which conserved soils and by ensuring clean water supplies.
He said: “The shock of the economic crisis is an opportunity to steer a new course towards strong, sustainable and balanced growth,” he said.
“In responding to the imperative of a jobs-rich recovery, we can draw on the job-creating potential of environment protection”.
“At the same time we can begin putting in place measures to secure a shift to a low carbon and environmentally-friendly economy.
“All can benefit from a green economy, protecting biodiversity and natural resources is to protect and create jobs for today and tomorrow”.
“It will require a sound process of social dialogue engaging all stakeholders to make the trade-offs, facilitate adjustment to change and mobilise know-how, energy and resources.”
Somavia said, experience had shown that poverty was neither a justification for inaction nor a barrier to action and indeed poverty was strong reason to act with haste.
“Abuse of the natural environment for short-term gain impoverishes communities and societies; the impact is eventually global,” he said.
He said that natural resources accounted for half of the GDP of the poor, even when the recorded average contribution to the national economy might be less than 10 per cent.
“Preserving natural resources and being attentive to how they are tapped economically is fundamental to achieving the Millennium Development Goals,” Somavia said.
He said biodiversity and natural resources were of immense economic and social significance to economies, enterprises and workers everywhere.
The Rivers State Commissioner for Education, Dr. Peters Nwagor, has commended the orderly conduct of the ongoing 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination in the state and urged schools to sustain the standard.
Dr. Nwagor gave the commendation on Tuesday during a monitoring tour of selected secondary schools in Port Harcourt and environs where the WAEC exam is ongoing.
The commissioner, who was accompanied by directors and monitors from the Ministry of Education, said he was impressed with the peaceful atmosphere at the centres visited.
“The students conducted themselves properly and wrote their papers under conducive conditions. Invigilators and supervisors also performed their duties professionally,” he stated.
Nwagor noted that the Rivers State Government had invested heavily to ensure the smooth and credible conduct of the examination across the state
He urged candidates to reciprocate government’s effort by shunning all forms of examination malpractice and focusing on their studies.
“Government has done so much to ensure successful examinations in our schools. Students should take advantage of it by remaining focused,” the commissioner said.
While no case of malpractice was recorded in the centres inspected, Dr. Nwagor warned that any principal, teacher, invigilator, or official caught aiding malpractice would face strict sanctions in line with regulations.
He also commended school administrators, teachers, WAEC officials, and security personnel for upholding the integrity of the process.
Centres visited included County Grammar School, Ikwerre/Etche; Government Comprehensive Secondary School, Borokiri; Government Secondary School, Borokiri; and Pabod Model Secondary School.
Rivers State University and the Otonti Nduka Foundation for Values Education jointly hosted a two-day National Conference on 8 and 9 May 2026 to examine the state of values in Nigeria.
The two days conference held at Rivers State University convocation arena brought together academics, policymakers, legal experts and education leaders under the theme _“Trends and Challenges in Upholding Values in Nigeria.”_
The gathering focused on policy gaps, curriculum reform, and the role of ethics in public service and education.
The event opened on Friday with remarks from Vice Chancellor Prof. Chief Isaac Zeb-Obipi, who stressed the need to address declining moral and civic values across Nigeria’s education and public sectors. A book of abstracts for the plenary sessions was also presented to participants.
Key speakers included former Attorney General Chief Dr Kanu Agabi, SAN; NERDC Executive Secretary Prof. Shehu Salisu; Prof. Hauwa Imam, FNAE, of the University of Abuja; former Rivers SUBEB Chairman Ven Dr Fyneface Akah, ; former NIMASA DG Dr Hon. Dakuku Adol-Peterside; and RSU Director of ICT Prof. Sunny Orike.
Discussions centered on integrating values education into schools, tertiary institutions and public institutions, alongside the impact of technology on moral development among young Nigerians. Panel and plenary sessions produced practical recommendations for curriculum and policy reform.
On Saturday, the foundation marked its centenary with the unveiling of the book _Otonti Nduka in History_, launched by Chief Engr. Grant Offor, FNSE. The Nigerian Academy of Education held a ceremonial procession led by its President Prof. Olu Jegede and the Ikwerre Professors Forum.
In a communiqué, participants called for stronger collaboration between government, civil society and academia to mainstream values education nationwide. They recommended reviewing teacher training curricula and expanding digital platforms to promote ethical civic engagement, with the foundation pledging to share the outcomes with education authorities for implementation.
Dignitaries present included Ogbakor Ikwerre Worldwide as Chief Host, Prof. Emeritus Chief T. Uzodimma Nwala, the Ikenga 1 of Mbaise and first philosophy student of Prof. Otonti Nduka, alongside scholars and community leaders.
Amadi Akujobi
