Environment
Odey Tasks Churches On Environment
The Minister of Environment, Mr John Odey has asked the church in Nigeria to rise up against the destruction of the environment, human rights abuses and the exploitation of the country’s natural wealth which ends up impoverishing the people.
In a speech titled, “Sustainable Development and Environmental Protection: Federal Government Policy Thrusts and the Role of the Church,” at the 22nd Theology week of the Catholic Institute of West Africa (CIWA), Port Harcourt, last week, Odey said the church should hearken to the call to protect God’s creation, consider their witness to Christ through preaching the need for people to renew their respect for the creator and His creation.
“I wish to re-emphasise that issues relating to environmental degradation, climate change, biodiversity destruction, natural resource extraction, gender and conflicts, social and environmental justice have caught up with us and become too important to be ignored.
“The voice of the Christian family had not been as strong as expected of people whose faith demands that they protect nature as God instructed us in Genesis 2:15, to cultivate and care for God’s creation”, he said.
The Minister who was represented by Dr. Samuel Adejumo of the Federal Ministry of Environment said while the federal government is implementing all policies concerning environmental protection and sustainable development, the church need to support government’s effort by making environmental sustainability a priority.
He noted that the federal government had taken a member of steps to address various environment problems in the country like the establishment of the Federal Environmental Protection Agency (FEPA), formulation of National Policy on Environment with the overall goal of achieving sustainable development, establishment of the Federal Ministry of Environment, establishment of National Environmental Standard Regulatory Agency (NESREA), amongs other.
He said the focus of the government policy is to ensure a safe and healthy environment that secures the economic and social-well-being of Nigerians on a sustainable basis.
The National Orientation Agency (NOA) on Thursday, launched an awareness campaign, aimed at educating residents on the increasing impact of climate change.
The campaign also seeks to enlighten residents on the urgent need for personal and community protection measures.
During the launch in Uyo on Thursday, the Akwa Ibom Director of NOA, Mr Mkpoutom Mkpoutom, said that the campaign aims at enlightening residents, about the changes in weather patterns.
He said that this includes unpredictable rise in temperatures, and how these changes threaten public health across the state.
Mkpoutom noted that the current weather was not harmattan, but an extreme form of air pollution, which is harmful to health as it could cause oxidative stress which affects body balance.
“Our environment is changing rapidly, and the effects are evident in the disruptions faced by our communities.
“It is paramount that every citizen of Akwa Ibom understands these changes and take necessary steps to protect themselves, their families, and their livelihoods,” he said.
He appealed to citizens to take the following precautions which include wearing of nose mask, drinking sufficient water, covering of food and water to keep away dust, washing fruits thoroughly before eating, among others.
He directed all NOA structures within the state to engage with local communities through town hall meetings and collaboration.
He also urged engagement with schools and community leaders, to disseminate vital information on early warning signs, as well as safety protocols during extreme weather conditions.
The Chairman of Epe Local Government Area of Lagos State, Ms Surah Animashaun, has urged traders of Aiyetoro and Oluwo fish markets to consistently ensure a hygienic trading environment.
She urged the traders to maintain cleanliness and observe proper environmental sanitation in the markets.
Animashaun said this during a visit to some of the market areas in Epe on Saturday.
She said that clean markets were critical to public health.According to her, poor sanitation could lead to the outbreak of communicable diseases, especially in fish markets, where waste management must be handled with extra care.
The council chairman urged traders to dispose of refuse appropriately, avoid indiscriminate dumping of waste, and ensure regular cleaning of stalls and surroundings
She noted that environmental hygiene is a collective responsibility, adding that everyone should be involved in this development.
Animashaun also warned that the local government would not hesitate to enforce existing environmental laws, including sanctions against defaulters.
She assured traders of the council’s commitment to providing adequate waste disposal facilities and regular monitoring to sustain a clean and healthy market environment.
The council boss also urged traders to desist from selling by the roadside, so as to avoid accidents, noting that several motor accidents had occurred along the Aiyetoro market area.
“We, therefore, urge traders to stop selling on the roadside,” she said.
President, Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Mrs Margaret Oguntala, has inaugurated the construction of 18 units residential terrace in highbrow Alausa area of Lagos toward bridging the nation’s shelter gap.
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