Making Nigeria’s environment safer

Environmentalists in Nigeria would anticipate that the Federal Government will be frightened by the recent report by the food and Agriculture  Organisation (FAO) report that “over 4000 hectares of our land is lost to deforestation annually.”

Considering that food, fuel and infrastructure demands are on the rise, such statistics should provoke national unease for a posterity-thinking people.

A careful assessment will reveal the peculiarity of Nigeria’s deteriorating environment and how these demands should command that all hands get on deck to solve these problems.

They include erosion in the South-East, oil spillage in the South-South, flooding in the South-West, desert encroachment and sand dunes in the North, wildlife poaching in protected areas, the hundreds of trees felled in our neighbourhoods, the unbearable heat we battle each day, and the scarcity of water.

It would be fair to guess that the urgency of the aforementioned problems explains why environmentalists, through individual efforts or through their pro-earth NGOs, have risen to combat the many environmental-related threats faced by Nigeria.

These people deserve commendation for, at the least, not being discouraged by the government’s not-too-pleasant response to an issue of global concern, despite its well-funded ministries and many agencies.

However, making plenty of social media noise, sending official delegations to social jamborees and strolling for colourful street walks to mark World Earth Day in fulfillment of this year’s theme “Environmental and Climate Literacy” is far from what a strong passion borne out of deep-seated understanding of the earth will birth. In the least way, this is reflected by our daily actions — planting a tree, proper disposal of waste, economic use of water, discouraging deforestation, exploring renewable sources of energy, engaging local and developed communities.

• Adebote Seyifunmi

Abuja