Climate Change: 500 Lagosians On Sensitisation March

In apparent display of passion and love for the environment, about 500 officials of the Lagos State Government, the Nigerian Conservation Foundation, NCF, students and others embarked on a march in Lagos at the weekend to sensitise Lagosians on the impact of climate change and the need to check it.

The march, tagged: “Walk for Nature”, was led by Governor Babatunde Fashola, who was represented by the Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Tunji Bello.

The march, an annual event, was the third since its commencement in 2009 and is aimed at sustaining awareness on the ever-growing need to adopt positive environmental behaviour, including the adoption of the green culture and proper waste disposal, in order to enhance the well-being of Lagosians and mitigate the attendant consequences of climate change.

The walk for nature started from the State House, Marina to Inner Marina; turned at Oando Filling Station and back to the State House.

Speaking at the event, Fashola cited government’s determination to address environmental issues as the reason for partnering with Non-Government Organisations such as NCF, Friends of the Environment and commended the NCF for its efforts to preserve nature and its resources since 1980.

Fashola, whose speech was read by Bello stressed the need to do more to preserve nature “so that we can all live in peace,” adding that it was important to walk for nature because “when we walk for nature, we get closer to nature, we reduce vehicular emissions which contribute to global warming, and most importantly, walking keeps us fit and mentally alert.”

President, NCF, Philip Asioudu, commended the efforts of the Lagos government in making the state clean and healthier, despite its monumental environmental and sanitation challenges.

He also tasked governments at local level to institute community-driven initiative on waste management as a measure for mitigating the risks of flood.

On the relationship between the environment and corporate business, Asiodu urged corporate bodies and the business community to take the issue of the environment more seriously “as it is very vital to their financial growth” and added that development is actually “the process that ensures that we meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”

Erelu Abiola Dosumu, at the event enjoined other states and organisations to emulate the state government in its passion for the environment.

Also represented at this year’s edition of the Walk For Nature were representatives of Chevron Nigeria Limited, Aluko & Oyebode, MAERSK Nigeria Limited, UPDC Plc, Nigeria Bottling Company Plc, Nigerite Nigeria Limited, Fidelity Bank Plc, UAC Foods and 7up Bottling Company Plc.