Tinubu leads Nigeria’s charge towards greener, cleaner future on world environment day
From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
In a powerful message on World Environment Day, President Bola Tinubu has called for a united effort to safeguard the environment, and transition Nigeria towards a prosperous and sustainable economy.
The president’s commitment to the cause, according to a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, is evident in his establishment of the Presidential Committee on Climate Action and Green Economic Solutions, which he chairs personally.
The statement noted that as part of his vision, President Tinubu has approved the establishment of Nigeria’s first green industrial zone, Evergreen City.
“This groundbreaking initiative,” the presidency noted, “is poised to become a leading manufacturing hub in Africa for renewable energy technologies, green solutions, and climate-adaptation technologies.”
The presidency said the president’s unwavering support for the project underscores his belief in the power of innovation to drive sustainable development.
President Tinubu also restated his commitment to ensuring the planting of 25 million trees by 2030. The ambitious goal not only aims to protect the environment but also to create opportunities for Nigerian youths within the green-economy value chain.
He emphasised on the importance of afforestation, water conservation, and the cessation of indiscriminate felling of trees, highlighting his understanding of the interconnectedness of environmental protection and human well-being.
President Tinubu emphasised the need for a more proactive approach to protect the land and ecosystem. He called on the citizens, stakeholders, institutions, and development partners to join hands in the crucial endeavour.
The World Environment Day, established by the United Nations during the Stockholm Conference on the Human Environment in 1972, is an important moment for raising awareness on environmental matters.
He said this year’s theme: ‘Land restoration, desertification and drought resilience,’ was very significant, particularly for Nigeria, where the scourge of drought threatens parts of the country.
According to the projections of the UN convention, to combat desertification, about 40 percent of the planet’s land is degraded, which directly impacts half of the world’s population.
The UN convention to combat desertification also said the number and duration of droughts had increased by 29 percent since 2000, and that without urgent action, droughts might affect over three-quarters of the world’s population by 2050.
