IDAILY TRUST
51
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Environm,ent 45 convicted for sa nitation offences in Ilorin
From Mustafa Abubakar, lIorin
VC advocates more collaboration against climate change Coast (UCC) at the Main Auditorium of the University in IIorin, VICE Chancellor of the Unithe Kwara State capital also had in versity of llorin, Professor Ishaq attendance environment experts. The VC advised people to Oloyede haS called for collabomtion among stakeholders in the change their attitude to the environment, noting that "when we promotion of ideals for the mitichange our attitude to the envigation of climate change. Delivering an address titled ronment such as the way we use "Two good heads are better than and consume energy, how we disone" at the 2nd Joint International pose waste, and how we take care Conference on "Climate Change of our surrounding our developand Sustainable Development," ment will be sustainable, adding he said Nigeria must make ade- . that "we should not be enjoying quate preparation to reduce the tmlay to destroy our tomorrow:: impact of climate change. Professor Oloyede said the The conference which was pattern of gening ready in cliorganizeQ by the U~iversity of mate change discourse is mainly !lorin and Unive rsity of Cape through mitigation and adaptaFrom Mustafa Abubakar, lIorin
FORTY five persons in norin, the Kwara State capital, were convicted for various environmental offences during the April sanitation exercise conducted throughout the slate last weekend. Addressing newsmen in !lorin, the Permanent Secretary of the state Minister of Ellviron-ment and Forestry, Mrs. Zahra Omar stressed the need for every individual to observe sanitation exercise without being forced . She described health as wealth and urged residents ofthe state to cultivate the habit of cleanliness to better the environment an~ individuals. She disclosed that the extension of contract with 'ala Klean , the agent in charge of clearing refused in the state was extended for another two years to sustain the legacy of the outgoing administration. She however warned people from dumping refuse into the rivers and gutters during the rains. Director, Personnel Finance and Supply in the Ministry, M r. Kayode Adekeyei urged Nigerians to be up and doing towards observing the exercise regularly. In a related development, the state Commissioner for Environment and Forestry, AJhaji Adamu charged residents and traders along Baboko area to stop dumping refuse into drainages and waterways to avoid flood disaster in the state. He implored them to imbibe the culture of cleanliness in order to avoid epidemic outbreaks in the state because llie state government has invested a lot of funds into the evacuation and clearing of debris from drainages and waterways in Borin metropolis. He urged all stakeholders in the state to partner with the state government in ensuring clean and green environment so as to curb the effects of climate change and promised to ensure that waste bins are prOVided to serve the increase in refuse and improve the sanitation situation in the area.
environment@dailytrust.com HOTLINE: 08036417326
tion. He explained that while mitigation efforts help to reduce future increase in climate change, adaptation efforts frontally confro nt the unavoidable impacts of the change. "One does not lose anything by getting' ready if the expected outcome does not materialize but one loses everything if consequences arise without prior preparation," he said. He commended the University of Cape Coast (UCC) for finding it worthy to collaborate with Unilorin to support African countries in finding solution to climate change.
He urged the participants to ensure they make good use ofthe opportunity in finding solution to their immediate problems on climate change. Professor Akin Mabogunje, who was chairman of the occasion had earlier affirmed that the seminar will provide the platform to make further research about climate change. He said the issue of climate change has brought a lot of changes on policies of governments across the globe, stressing. that climate change induced the climatic condition which triggered tsunami's and hurricanes among others.
!'
DROUGHT in the Amazon due to rainfall seizure and loss of water caused by climate change.
Former envoy seeks enforcement of laws on wild life FORMER Nigerian High Commis- tials were harnessed. and preservation of forests with sioner to Botswana, Ambassador He noted that tourism was the a law backing the existence of the Isaac Onu, has caUed on the Federal second largest foreign exchange animals. Government to enforce the laws on earner for Botswana after diamond, "In our country. even our wildlife and forests preservation to . and the laws protecting animals in game reserves, like the Yankari boost tourism, their natural habitat were being Game Rese rve are at the mercy of Onu who made the call while strictly enforced. poachers. "I discovered that one 'Of the "But if you do not preserve this, speaking with journalists in Lokoja, Kogi State, said the country would major instruments that attract how do yo u attract tourists? So, we become a tourist destination if the tourists to a given country is peace- .need to address the issue of prelaws were enforced while the poten- ful co-existence, political stability servine the animals:' he said.
•
According to him, when wild create an enabling instrument that animals stray into people's com- will regulate our relationship with pounds, the authorities are first these animals and preserve them. "The tourism industry, apart alerted and people are not allowed to catch them or kill them and they from earning foreign exchange are allowed to graze without undue for the country, will also proVide restrictions, adding that all these employment for the teeming things boil down to focus. unemployed youths in the coun"If the government is desir- try and as well as showcase Nigerous of harnessing and enhancing ia's rich cultural heritage:' he said. its tourism Dotentials, we need to (NAN)
I i~
I
I