Environment
‘Afforestation Of 1,500km Of Land On Course’
The Mtawargba Creek covered with grass at the Woke Lane, GRA in Port Harcourt.
Hajiya Amina
Mohammed, the Minister of Environment, has said afforestation of at least 1,500 kilometres of land in Nigeria under Great Green World programme was on course.
The minister said this at a two day workshop organised by Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria (FRIN) in Zaria.
Mohammed, represented by the Minister of State in the ministry, Alhaji Ibrahim Jibril, said the trees, if planted would improve means of livelihood of people apart from halting desertification.
She said the programme was an initiative of the African Union, the Pan African Agency for the Great Green World which covers 11 countries in Africa.
The minister said the programme would cover some states in the North-West and North-East.
While lamenting the incessant felling of trees for firewood without replacement, Mohammed stressed the need for a change of attitude from Nigerians to safeguard and preserve forests.
She said rainfall pattern in the last 20 years was not the same with what was being experienced nowadays due to the effects of climate change.
The minister observed that the benefits of promoting sustainable forest management were too many and significant to be ignored if Nigeria’s vision was to be among the best economies of the world soonest.
The Executive Director, FRIN, Dr Adeshola Adepoju, said the institute was established to conduct researches in forestry, sustainable forest management, environmental protection, medicinal plants, agroforestry, forest product development and utilisation and forestry research extension.
Prof. Ibrahim Garba, the Vice-Chancellor, Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, described the university as the home of agriculture in view of the active role of its agricultural institutes toward boosting the sector in the country.
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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