Environment
Earth Hour: NCF Urges Promotion Of Nature-Positive Future
The Nigeria Conservation Foundation (NCF) has called on all relevant stakeholders to support and promote nature-positive future for healthy environment.
Mr Oladapo Soneye, NCF Head of Communication, said this in an interview with The Tide source in Abuja.
The Tide source reports the world celebrates Earth Hour every last Saturday of March annually to encourage people to save energy and use it wisely.
Earth hour is being supported by Gaermany Ministry of Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety with Funding from International Climate Initiative.
The Earth Hour 2022 tagged: “Shape Our Future”, will take place on Saturday March 26, at 8:30 p.m local time.
Soneye said it was up to everyone to shape the future by bringing attention to the critical issues which the planet is facing and working towards promoting nature positively.
He said that Earth Hour was world’s largest grassroots movement for environment and set to unite millions of people around the world to show their commitment to the planet.
According to him, as we continue adapting our lives to the impacts of COVID-19 and the catastrophic events of the past two years, Earth Hour 2022 aims to signal the end of business as usual.
“It will herald a new era that puts people and the planet first. Taking place at a particularly crucial time.
“This year’s Earth Hour invites people around the world to take a stand and signal their support for a nature-positive future.
“About 73 per cent of people in G20 countries agreeing that the earth is approaching potentially abrupt or irreversible tipping points because human action awareness of nature loss and climate change is high.
“On the set day, individuals and groups are expected to switch off all electrical appliances including bulbs to conserve energy for one hour, while using torchlight momentarily.
“They are expected to record the activity and post on the social media while using relevant hashtags such as #SaveEarth #EarthHour among others.
“They could also have discussions between and among themselves on the importance of conserving the earth,” he said.
The NCF spokesman said that the world leaders were committed to decide on a new global action plan for nature, thereby creating a biodiversity framework which halts and reverse nature loss for generations to come.
He said that such collective effort would enhance a nature-positive future and without such action plan the global economy can be wiped off.
“So, it’s time to act now, nature is our green gold, and it is everyone’s business,” he said.
Soneye said that the rate of devastation of environment was alarming, adding that creating a positive nature future would address environmetal challenges and promote healthy environment.
He said that earth hour was one of such opportunities created to draw attention to the state of ecosystem, unhealthy environment, and the need to take drastic steps in salvaging the situation.
He said that Earth Hour has inspired global initiatives for the protection of nature, climate, and the environment, helping drive awareness, action and policy change.
He said that the NCF was the premier Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) dedicated to nature conservation and sustainable development in Nigeria. (NAN)
The Lagos State Government has commenced installation of new pumps at the Iju Headworks and Akute water intake stations.
The Tide source reports that the project is aimed at increasing water production, improving operational efficiency and expanding access to potable water across the state.
A statement issued by the Lagos Water Corporation (LWC) over the weekend said the project was approved and funded by the state government.
It said the installation was part of the rehabilitation of the Iju Headworks and Akute Intake Station under Lots 1, 2 and 3.
According to LWC, the rehabilitation is designed to modernise water production facilities, strengthen operations and improve public water supply.
The Network of Female Professionals in Water, Sanitation and Hygiene in Nigeria (FEMinWASH) and the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) are set to partner on gender-responsive systems strengthening, capacity development and WASH initiatives.
The partnership was proposed during a courtesy visit by a FEMinWASH delegation, led by its President and Convener, Dr Boluwaji Onabolu, to the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Walson-Jack, in Abuja.
Onabolu, who conveyed greetings from FEMinWASH Patron, retired Engineer Ebele Okeke, commended Walson-Jack for upholding the Federal Civil Service’s EPIC values of Efficient, Productive, Incorruptible and Citizen-centred leadership.
She praised the HoCSF’s efforts in advancing gender inclusion in WASH and the civil service, including the development of the National Gender in Water Resources Mainstreaming Policy and mentoring programmes for women leaders.
Onabolu also highlighted the INSPIRE (Inclusive Network for Supporting Progressive Leadership, Innovation, Reform and Equity for Women) programme, aimed at strengthening women’s leadership and inclusion.
She said FEMinWASH was seeking a formal partnership and Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the OHCSF to support INSPIRE, WASH advocacy, capacity building and the institutionalisation of Gender-Responsive Budgeting across the Federal Civil Service.
Responding, Walson-Jack commended the diverse expertise of the FEMinWASH delegation, noting that professionals in WASH, water resources, environment, public health, town planning and education were critical to addressing development challenges.
She welcomed the proposed partnership, assuring that the OHCSF was ready to collaborate with FEMinWASH on civil service strengthening and WASH-related initiatives.
The meeting agreed to further engagements with Dr Garba, Permanent Secretary (Special Duties), and Ms Funke Baruwa, Lead for Partnerships at the OHCSF, to advance the collaboration.
The visit ended with a photo session and exchange of gifts between both parties.
The Special Adviser on Environment, Mr Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu, commended the community on the massive turn-out for sanitation.
He also appreciated the chairman and his team for their support to the ministry.
Rotimi-Akodu urged the community to continue to support the council and by extension, the government, by participating in the exercise and engaging in proper disposal of wastes.
“We have heard your appeal, and I assure you that Lagos government will do something about it.
“Although we have PSP operators in this axis, maybe they were assigned to other areas.
“However, I will ensure something is done and residents will observe the improvement.” the advisor said.
Also, the Managing Director, Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LASMA), Mr Muyiwa Gbadegesin, said that waste management was a collective exercise.
Gbadegbesin, therefore, appealed to the residents to always dispose of their wastes properly.
“You must bag your waste at home. Make sure you have a bin to keep the waste for few days, even if there is a delay by the PSP operator.
“Make sure you pay your PSP operator on time because there is no way they can provide that service if you are not paying them regularly.
The Non Governmental Organization (NGO) Go Green Nigeria Foundation, , has called for more stringent government efforts toward prohibition of illegal sand mining in Rivers, following erosion threats.
The founder of NGO Dr John Babington made the call on last Monday in Umuechem, Etche Local Government Area of Rivers, to commemorate the International Day for the Conservation of Mangrove Ecosystems.
Babington, who sensitised the community on dangers associated with crude sand mining, donated some trees as part of efforts to promote tree planting and revitalisation of the altered mangrove ecosystem.
During an interactive session with the community, the environmental expert identified various concerns and commended residents for their willingness to work together to end the excavation.
He, however, dismissed the notion that illegal sand mining was due to poverty and unemployment, saying, ”the business is a capital intensive venture that could only be operated by a rich cartel.”
He said that though the business might have provided menial jobs for few youths, it had not in any manner addressed poverty.
Presently, the landscape is altered with an artificial river encroaching a major access road and threatening public safety,” he said.
Also speaking, a senior Chief in the community, Chief Gilbert Otamiri commended the NGO for the initiative and promised to collaborate with them.
Gilbert, however, urged the government to tackle unemployment which, he said, was a major promoter of the illegal excavation
Also speaking, The Community Development Chairman (CDC) Mr Agbam Mgbechi thanked the group for the sensitisation and donation of trees.
He called on the government and concerned induviduals to emulate the group by making efforts towards salvaging the area from further environmental damage.
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