Lagos urges residents to take proactive measures to address land degradation

The Lagos State Government over the weekend reiterated the necessity for all residents to take proactive measures to address land degradation and enhance resilience to drought.

The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, stated this at the grand finale of the 2024 World Environment Day Celebration held at Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Alausa, Ikeja, saying that Lagos State is not immune to natural challenges of being a megacity with growing population and rapid urbanization.

He described the theme “Land Restoration, Desertification, and Drought Resilience.” as a call to action to address the critical challenges of land degradation, desertification, and drought issues that threaten the very existence and the future of the planet.

He said Land degradation, driven by unsustainable agricultural practices, deforestation, and climate change, affects about 1.9 billion hectares of land globally.

He explained that Desertification is the process by which fertile land becomes desert and this happens in over 168 countries making it one of the most significant environmental challenges of this time, stressing that droughts have become more frequent and severe, exacerbating the impacts of climate change and threatening the resilience of the ecosystems.

“In our nation, these challenges are particularly pronounced as Nigeria, with its vast and diverse landscapes, faces significant threats from land degradation and desertification, especially in the northern regions” he said.

He stated that encroachment of deserts and the loss of arable land are affecting agricultural productivity, water resources, and the livelihoods of millions of Nigerians

He emphasized that the health nature of the land directly impacts food security, water availability, biodiversity, livelihoods and overall well-being stressing, that these crises affect millions of people worldwide.

He added that Sustainable Land Management initiative not only enhance soil fertility and productivity but also separates carbon, contributing to climate change mitigation.

He said there is Community Engagement and Education initiative meant for empowering communities with knowledge and crucial resources, adding that the state is conducting extensive outreach programs to educate farmers, local leaders, and citizens on sustainable practices that promote land restoration and drought resilience.

According to him: ” the journey ahead may be daunting, but I am confident that with our collective determination, we can overcome these challenges; our efforts to restore our land, combat desertification, and enhance our resilience to drought will yield lasting benefits for our environment, economy, and future generations.

The Commissioner who also dwelt on enforcement efforts of the administration says there is no going back on the application of the law to all environmental infractions.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Special Adviser on Environment, Mr Olakunle Rotimi – Akodu noted that the ecosystems are under immense pressure from urbanization, climate change, pollution, and unsustainable land use practices.

He added that amidst these challenges lies an opportunity for all to come together, re-imagine the relationship with nature, recreate sustainable solutions, and restore the balance that is essential for the well-being of the planet and future generations.

He said the State government has long been at the forefront of environmental conservation and sustainability efforts which include tree planting initiatives to waste management reforms and the recent ban on Styrofoam and single use plastic amongst other saying, the government has demonstrated the unwavering commitment to environmental management.

In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary Office of Environmental Services, Dr. Gaji Tajudeen reminded participants of the environmental challenges confronting the planet saying that the World Environment Day celebration serves not only to raise awareness but also to inspire action towards sustainable practices that safeguard the environment for generations to come.

The guest speaker at the World Environment Day lecture   Dr. Soladoye Iwajomo said land restoration is the process of arresting degradation or rehabilitating degraded land and restoring its productivity through reforestation, soil conservation and protecting natural process.

At the climax of the event, awards were presented to private sector operators in Environmental Sustainability, Environmental Reporting and Environmental Restoration Categories respectively.