Special Assistant to the Oyo State Governor on Environment and Sustainability, Mr. Ademola Aderinto has called on Nigerians to join hands with the government to ensure land restoration.
He made the call today, in a statement titled “Nature Cries For Restoration” to commemorate the World Environment Day.
Every year on June 5th, the world celebrates World Environment Day, which aims to increase awareness and action for environmental protection. This year, the theme is ‘land restoration, desertification, and drought resilience’.
According to Aderinto, “it is time to make our mark as a state in restoring our environment to it’s former glory. We are PACE SETTERS. ASÍWÁJÚ ni wá!'”
The Environmental strategist said owing to the effects of climate change and indiscriminate land use in the world today, food and water shortage is staring the world in the face.
He however, commended the Oyo State Government, for bringing life back to agriculture by supporting stakeholders and facilitating access for mobility of farm produce.
He said it is now the duty of everyone to ensure that proper land use and protection is imbibed to save the environment and also save lives in ensuring the land gives more than sufficient to eat, and drink (portable water).
“Drought is staring us in the face due to indiscriminate drilling of boreholes, and even land water contamination which is largely caused by wrong disposal of liquid waste”, he said.
“Believe me, you, we are are gradually turning our lands into deserts– not necessarily in a way that it becomes dry land, but because we do not want to see trees anymore. As a result we encourage global warming because there are no sufficient trees around residential and industrial premises. The consequence is climate change. The effect is rising sea levels, and harsh and unpredictable weather conditions as we are seeing now”.
“We prayed for urbanisation and industrialisation in Oyo state, and it’s happening. But it is not good enough a reason for us to cut away trees and their benefits simply because of the same development we have prayed and hoped for in our state.”
“Every building must have at least a tree and a green area. That is your own contribution to restoring the environment if you would– which we all should. No more constructing all your unbuilt land area with concrete– set a portion apart to help this course.”
“Our land is our future, and our land influences how our environment turns out. Whatever we do now influences what the future holds”, he added.
He noted that more serious and very adverse weather condition awaits if Nigerians do not act.
He urged residents of the State and Nigerians to plant trees and green area, adding that this will give a healthier lease of life.
“We will have to breathe in unadulterated oxygen regularly, and live a more fulfilling life”, he said.
