The Canadian Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, Dr Teshome Nkrumah, has called for more sustainable protection of the environment to mitigate the effects of climate change.
Nkrumah made the call while giving a keynote speech at a dinner/award night to mark the 40th anniversary celebration of the establishment of the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) on Saturday in Lagos.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the event was “Only One Earth”.
Nkrumah noted that though “climate change is and will be for a while the defining crisis of our time,” he was optimistic that with shared responsibility on the efforts of individuals and governments, it could be controlled.
He showered encomiums on the NCF for its consistency in championing the crusade for environmental protection, biodiversity and sustainability for the past 40 years.
“Climate change will nonetheless require fundamental transformation in all aspects of society.
“How we grow food, use land, transport goods, and power our economies.
“Many nature based solutions can help to achieve the decarbonisation of our economies
“They will allow us to reduce the portion of our carbon footprint while supporting vital ecosystems, biodiversity, access to freshwater, improved friend improved livelihoods and food security.
“Scalable new technologies and nature’s solutions will enable us to make the leap to a cleaner and more resilient future.
“A future where poverty is reduced, equity is upheld and harmony between people and planet is restored,” Nkrumah said.
The envoy said that Mother Nature was not at war with us, but rather, warning humanity of more severe consequences if we did not mend our ways and be better custodians of the planet
He said that the huge presence of dignitaries at the event was a testament to the value placed on the work of NCF and the existential importance of combating climate change to humanity.
“Over the past 40 years, NCF has provided evidence that conservation works and has given us the knowledge and the tools needed to take action.
“You show that given the chance nature can and does bounce back. You’ve made us realise that we can and should work to conserve our natural environment and its biodiversity.
“And that by doing so, we would help address other major challenges that confront our planet today such as poverty, conflict, inequality,” Nkrumah said.
Also speaking, Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu expressed joy that the Founder of the NCF, Chief Lawal Edu, of blessed memory, was an illustrious son of the state.
Sanwo-Olu was represented by Mr Mobolaji Ogunlende, Special Adviser on Special Duties and Inter-Governmnetal Relations.
Sanwo-Olu said that it was also important to note that the death of Edu did not lead to the death of his dream for nature conservation, protection of biodiversity and environmental sustainability.
According to him, Edu gathered all worthy friends and associates who have been able to continue the good work for 40 years.
He said that one of the enduring partnership between the state government and the NCF had been in the “Walk for Nature” project which had continued for over 15 years.
The governor said that the project had continued to sensitise the public on the need for environmental protection, sustainability and conservation of nature.
He said that the government was developing a sector policy on wetlands and biodiversity to ensure balanced development of the state.
He pledged the continuous support and partnership of the state government with the foundation and other organisations on environmental sustainability.
Earlier in his address of welcome, Mr Philip Asiodu, said that 40 years was just like a blink of an eye
Represented by Chief Ede Dafinone, a member of the Board of Trustees, Asiodu said that in celebrating the foundations 40 years it was important to recognize those men and women that have contributed to conservation in Nigeria.
“40 years ago the environment was far away from many people’s minds. It has over the last 10 years, come to the front burner, globally and even nationally.
“The statistics bear out the visionaries,” Asiodu said.
He said that the last four or five summers showed record breaking temperatures around the world.
“So ,when 30/35 years ago people talked about global warming. It was real. The science did bear that.
“We will see sea level rising over the next few years,” Asiodu said.
He said that one of the major projects the NCF is looking at this year and next is the erosion happening along the Lekki coastline where it had been observed that up to 140 meters of coastline was being eroded over the last three years.