World Environment Day: Ekiti Govt Urges Citizens To Clean Their  Environments Regularly

By Olanrewaju Falayi

The Ekiti State government in commemoration of the 2023 World Environment Day, tagged: Solution to Plastic Pollution, the Ekiti State Government has charged the state to think about their environments first by ensuring cleanliness of their environment regularly, saying they should ensure an environment devoid of disaster which has a positive impact on the lives of the masses.

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The Governor gave the charge in a sensitization/awareness tour on the importance of preserving the earth’s resources among the people of Ekiti state through the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources.

Oyebanji who was on Monday represented by Dr Akinyemi Akinyugha, the Project Coordinator, Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project who underscored the importance of nurturing nature for a better environment in Ekiti at an event to mark the 2023 World Environment Day(WED)

Dr Akinyemi said that the United Nations was conscious of the major role played by environmental sustainability in the well-being of people and their economic dependence.

According to him, the considerations led to setting aside June 5 to stimulate environmental actions for a better world.

“The commemoration of the day is a global platform for inspiring positive change with over 150 countries participating to raise awareness and stimulate environmental actions”.

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“The 2022 World Environment Day is a historic milestone for the global environmental community,” Dr Akinyemi said.

Lending his voice to the environmental day,  Barr. Bamidele Agbede, Head Of Service Ekiti State, commended the efforts of His Excellency, Mr Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, for approving the programme to be celebrated in the state , saying, Ekiti State could join other States of the Federation and the world at large to mark the year 2023 World Environment day. 

 He said, the negative impact of plastic waste on our environment. Its detrimental on health, the economy and more importantly the environment, cannot be ignored. Plastic pollution is, of course, a global concern.

“As a state, the present Administration under the leadership of BAO is committed to finding sustainable solutions to plastic pollution in line with 13 goals of the sustainable development goals”.

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He recalled that the goals of poverty alleviation and environmental protection became linked, paving the way for Sustainable Development Goals.

Adding that 2023 celebration was a clarion call to celebrate the planet through collective environmental actions.

Dr Sikiru Olowoya, Executive Director, of Green Global Environmental Network (GGEN) said, it is important in protecting our planet and preserving the environment for future generations. 

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Sikiru stressed that Plastic pollution is a global crisis that threatens man’s health, wildlife,such as  aquatic animals and  ecosystem in general. 

“Together, we can make a difference. By taking action today, we can create a better future for ourselves and for generations to come. Let us commit ourselves to the cause of protecting our planet by reducing plastic pollution”.

General Manager, of the State Environmental Protection Agency, Mr Olukayode Adunmo, advised and encouraged the residents to sustain the habits of cleanliness and make it a daily affair to ward off any form of the disease.

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He appealed against dumping of waste in drainage and canal to avoid flooding.

“This is the rainy season, I want to advise the good people of our State not to dump their waste in drainage systems and canals because they will be blocked, and this will lead to flooding. So, to avert flooding let all of us keep to sanitation rules and regulations”, he said. 

“It is how we treat our environment that the environment will treat us. So we must treat our environment well to ensure healthy living.”

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Adunmo said the residents should cooperate more with the government in their interest to ensure that the state remains clean.

Chief Mrs Funke Ogunrinde (Iyaloja of Ado Ekiti) commended the contributions of corporate organisations, non-governmental organizations, traditional groups, religious groups and other notable bodies that have consistently been involved in making our environments a better or more conducive place.

The Permanent Secretary, Babatunde Alokan expressed gratitude to the management and staff of the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources and other notable personnel for ensuring that the persistent drive of the state’s policy toward the interesting legacy of greening and restoration of indigenous trees to the citizen is sustained.

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According to him, it is collective action that will create the transformative environment we need so we can advance to a more sustainable and just earth where everyone can flourish.

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