Society for the Promotion of People‘s Right, an NGO, has called on the Federal Government and relevant stakeholders to make deliberate collective efforts at addressing Nigeria’s environmental challenges.
President of the organisation,Mr Williams Osaze, made the call in an interview with the Tide source last Tuesday in Abuja.
Osaze said that local, state and federal governments, as well as critical stakeholders from various organisations, should collaborate with the aim of tackling environmental issues in the country.
He said collaborative efforts would safeguard humans against stress-induced health issues caused by land degradation, flood and erosion, desertification, loss of biodiversity, climate change and urban pollution, among others.
According to him, environmental challenges are seriously affecting people and ecosystems globally, adding that partnership between stakeholders will bring a better solution.
“For instance, land degradation and other environmental issues can be avoided, reduced or reversed by implementing sustainable land management.
“It can also work out well by restoration and rehabilitation practices that simultaneously provide many co-benefits, including adaptation, and mitigation of climate change.
“The environment supplies the  life  support  system for human existence and survival by proving our needs for air, water, food, place of abode and raw materials, among others.
“Therefore, it is important to address our environmental problems, to prevent diseases and other health challenges that can occur through our environment,’’ he said.
Osaze stressed the need for strengthening essential environmental health services, knowledge and national capacities; adding that all were fundamental to achieving universal health coverage.