… As State Celebrates 2024 Walk For Nature In Conjunction With Nigerian Conservation Foundation
The Lagos State Government on Saturday charged residents to adopt a renewed sense of purpose by respecting the ecosystem and planet Earth that has sustained human existence.
The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab made this call while speaking after the 2024 Walk For Nature event held at Onikan Stadium, Lagos, stressing everyone must ensure a sustainable future for generations unborn through their actions.
The Commissioner who spoke through the Special Adviser on Environment, Engr. Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu said the annual Walk for Nature comes up every third Saturday of October every year to raise awareness and consciousness on the protection and conversation of nature.
He said this year’s walk which marks the 18th edition with the theme: “Land Restoration, Desertification and Drought Resilience. #Generation Restoration#” is a pointer to the challenges being faced globally as a result of natural factors, anthropogenic factors and unsustainable practices within the environment.He stated that land degradation, desertification and drought are interconnected challenges affecting the livelihood of people worldwide and that these issues are exacerbated by deforestation, overgrazing, unsustainable land uses such as soil erosion and depreciation and so on.
He said the loss of fertile land space, and declining biodiversity increases the vulnerability of the ecosystem, having far-reaching consequences on food security and human well-being.
He added that the challenges of human activities have become evident with the escalating impact of the depreciation of natural resources resulting in land and habitat loss affecting biodiversity and increasing the effect of Climate Change.
He said while Lagos being a coastal city is shielded from the dry wind of desertification and drought from the Sahara, it is affected by the effects of Climate Change such as coastal erosion and land degradation.
He stressed that to this end, climate resilient actions are been encouraged by the Government in line with the THEMES Plus Agenda of Mr. Governor in encouraging tree planting, building of more parks and gardens, collaboration with NGOs on environmental sustainability and the launching of the Lagos Climate Adaptation and Resilience Plan (LCARP).
“As a frontline State, we must continually strive for improvement, lots of biological and physical solutions will better protect our dear State, the biological solution being low-hanging fruits that can be quickly implemented. We must as a matter of urgency protect our Mangroves which are nature’s gift against coastal erosion and protect our wetlands from encroachment. Mangrove afforestation is germane to the State Government and collaborative efforts are ongoing to ensure restoration” he added.
He explained that as the demand of the State Government for a more sustainable environment and quality public services increases, it is important to stress that the partnership with the private sector equally plays a crucial role in ensuring a more sustainable Lagos.
Wahab expressed appreciation to the Nigeria Conservation Foundation (NCF) for partnering with the Government and for their efforts in conserving 78 hectares of land in the Lekki area of the State serving as a huge buffer protecting the State and biodiversity, mitigating the effects of Climate change as well as bringing nature closer to man.
Earlier in a welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Office of Environmental Services, Dr. Gaji Omobolaji represented by his Drainage and Water Resources counterpart, Engr. Mahmood Adegbite said the UN Decade of Ecosystem Restoration is upon everyone and must strive to restore the degraded ecosystem, increase the advocacy so that no one is left behind in driving eco-restoration projects through financial commitments for the benefit of nature and the people of the State.
According to him, “In this regard, we must not only adopt mitigative measures but ensure adaptation measures to strengthen our resilience. We are open to partnerships and collaborations on Environmental Sustainability. The Walk for Nature is a symbol of the Ministry’s commitment to SDG 17 in partnership with the Nigeria Conservation Foundation”.
In her remarks, the Chairman, National Executive Council NCF, Justice (Mrs.) R. I. B. Adebiyi said NCF has consistently canvassed for Sustainable Land Management (SLM), Water Conservation Techniques, Community-Based Natural Resource Management, and implementation of the Great Green Wall Initiative, as practical solutions to the problem of desertification in Nigeria.
