Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, has expressed concern about the impact of climate change on sustainable development.
Rt. Hon Oborevwori, at a public lecture organized by Engr. Chief Chukwuemeka Chukwurah Green Economy Foundation (ECCGEF) in collaboration with Dennis Osadebay University, Asaba, emphasized that building climate change resilience and green economy was the way to go towards achieving sustainable development.
The Governor, who was represented by the State Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Ejiro Jamani, noted that the effect of climate change was evident in extreme weather conditions, heat waves, systematic extinction of the ecosystem, food insecurity, and socioeconomic disability, among other challenges.
He condemned unsustainable exploitation of the planet earth without consideration of the consequences, insisting that adopting sustainable environmentally friendly practices was no longer a matter of choice but a necessity.
Oborevwori stated that the sustainability of the environment was a key component of his administration’s MORE agenda, in view of the enormous environmental challenges being experienced in the state and the world at large
The Governor said adopting green economy could engender economic growth, just as a better environment, investing in renewable energy, energy efficiency, sustainable agriculture, proper waste management and eco-friendly technology could create jobs and protect the environment, while fostering economic precedence and social equity.
In his remarks on the occasion, the State Head of Service, Mr Reginald Bayoko, commended ECCCFEF and other concerned organisations for championing the climate change mitigation campaign, which he noted was in the best interest of the human race, and urged civil servants in the state to plant trees and make gardens in available empty lands around them in support of green economy.
In a keynote address, the Vice Chancellor of the Delta State University, Abraka, Prof. Andy Egwunyenga, identified climate change as one of the most pressing issues of the present generation, with far-reaching consequences for the planet earth and generations yet unborn.
Prof. Egwunyenga listed the effects of climate change, which he blamed primarily on distortive human activities, to include rising temperatures and sea level, extreme weather conditions, droughts, flood episodes, changes in precipitations, unpredictability of times and seasons, all of which had led to loss of biodiversity, crop failures, food insecurity and deepening poverty.
The Chief Host and Vice Chancellor of Dennis Osadebay University, Asaba, Prof. Ben Oghojafor, represented by Prof. Robert Dode, said the institution was happy to identify with ECCCGEF, pointing out that the partnership with the Foundation had led to the establishment of a Center for Climate Change Studies and Emergency Management in the University.
Earlier in a welcome address, the President of ECCCGEF, Engr. Chief C. C. Chukwurah, said the public lecture was to further create awareness on the need to build climate change resilience and promote green economy, adding that the ultimate goal was to take the message to as many target groups as possible.
While saying that the current level of awareness was low, Engr Chief Chukwurah, who is the Osowa Owelle of Asaba, urged the government to encourage banks and cooperative societies to grant soft loans to Nigerians to invest in renewable energy in order to reduce the effect of greenhouse forces on the environment.
The well attended event featured a lecture on ‘Building Climate Change and Green Economy for Sustainable Development ‘, by Prof. Emma Nzegbule, discussions, comments, questions, goodwill messages, and awards to nominated Environmental Health Officers as Tree Planting, Nurturing and Tracking Ambassadors from the 25 Local Government Areas of the state.
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