An Environmental expert, Prof. Lawrence Ikechukwu Ezemonye has emerged the First President and Chairman of the Governing Council of the Institute of Environmental Practitioners of Nigeria (IEPN).
In his acceptance speech, Prof. Ezemonye said that his noted that his coming on board as IEPN President and Chairman, Governing Council marks the beginning of a new era in Environmental Governance and Ecosystem Management in Nigeria.
“It is with great joy and gratitude to Almighty God that I stand to respond and formally accept the responsibility of shepherding this significant Institute saddled with the responsibility of regulating the activities of its members in the protection of the Nigerian environment.
Ezemonye, who is also the Vice Chancellor, Igbinedion University, Okada remarked that It was not an easy task going through the process of signing the Institute of Environmental Practitioners of Nigeria Establishment Act into Law.
He said: “This new dawn which is heralded by the inauguration of the Institute of Environmental Practitioners of Nigeria (IEPN) is driven strongly by the passion for corporate environmental stewardship and justice.
“The mission of the Institute is very clear, interrogating ecological evaluations, ecological integrity, environmental management, restoration, remediation, protection, sustainability and stewardship as the Nigerian environment is in dire need of our intervention.”
The President and Chairman of Governing Council of the Institute of Environmental Practitioners of Nigeria commended the Federal Government for signing the IEPN Act into Law.
He also hailed Ex- Ex-President Muhammadu Buhari (GCFR) and the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Her Excellency, Senator Oluremi Tinubu for their contributions towards environmental sustainability projects in the country.
The Professor of Ecotoxicology and Environmental Forensics, however, expressed appreciation to other stakeholders for their roles in driving sanity and sanctity in the practice of environmental protection, conservation, remediation, and restoration of the Nigerian environment.
In his brief remarks, the Minister of Environment, Malam Balarabe Lawal, represented by Dr. Olubunmi Olusanya, Director Pollution Control and Environmental Health in the ministry assured that his ministry would unlock all the potential in the environment sector and regulate environmental professionalism.
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