Osun State Government has reiterated its readiness to ensuring that the state Climate Action Plans succeed and meet global standards.
The state Commissioner for Environment, Mayowa Adejorin, stated this during a sensitisation programme for youths in the state on climate change.
Anjorin said the Ministry under him is doing everything to propagate the advantage of enabling climate change, adding the state governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, has been a strong supporter of achieving the goal.
The Commissioner who noted that Osun is one of the fewest states in Nigeria with good control of flooding, urged participants to key into the programme.
Adejorin, however, warned those still engaging in indiscriminate dumping of refuse by the roadside and waterways to desist, emphasizing the need for a clean environment.
He said, “The government of Osun State, for the first time, has recognized the importance of climate change in our society. When I was appointed as the Commissioner for Environment, there was no department of climate change in the Ministry, but I wrote to the government, and it was approved.
“After that, the government employed a consultant who has deep knowledge of climate change and since then, we have been moving on to propagate the advantage of enabling climate change to succeed in the state.
“Since I became a commissioner, Osun has not experienced any major flooding. Last year, NiMet accorded us as one of the fewest states with good control of flooding in Nigeria. We’ve been working on preventing flooding in the state and we are going to continue with that.
“The governor is behind the success. The ministry has only implemented the directive of the government.
“My advice to the people is to obey rules and regulations. They should stop indiscriminate dumping of refuse. We’ve been going around for campaigns on putting an end to indiscriminate dumping of refuse and I am appealing to our people to listen and obey the directive.”
Earlier, the consultant on climate change to the state government, Professor Chinwe Obuaku, said the purpose of the program was to enable youths to be the driving force of climate change in the state.
She said, “We want the youths in Osun State to drive climate action. We will sit behind and push you and give you all the support and resources to combat climate change.
“We do not want to adopt what is happening in other places to fit into what is happening here in Osun State. What we want is local solutions that are created here. We want a climate change that originates from the local people.”
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