The Federal Ministry of Environment in partnership with Etisalat Nigeria commemorated the 2016 World Environmental Day with a symbolic planting of trees among other activities geared at creating awareness for a culture of improving the environment.
The event which held in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja recently with the theme, “Join the Race, Better the World: Go Wild for Life” was the 45th celebration of the United Nations-backed World Environment Day. It is aimed at drawing attention to the increasing negative impacts of environmental devastation on wildlife and the overarching responsibility of all stakeholders to work towards improving the environment.
Speaking at the event, Head, Government and Community Relations, Etisalat Nigeria, Mohammed Suleh-Yusuf, said that the telecoms company is delighted to partner with relevant Government authorities to keep the environment safe and sustainable.
“Today symbolizes the partnership we have with Government authorities on Environment; it is also symbolic of our commitment to keeping the environment sustainably safe for all. It is a race that we must run together in unison if we must succeed,” he said.
Suleh-Yusuf also revealed that the telecommunications giant has started championing the cause for a sustainable environment with ongoing awareness campaigns in its adopted schools.
Also speaking at the event, the Minister of Environment, Amina Mohammed reckoned that the 2016 World Environment Day awareness activities was an apt step towards the attainment of the recently adopted 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
The Minister, who gave the key note address, asserted that the attainment of global sustainable development is critically dependent on a number of issues among which include environmental rule of law, the illegal trade in wildlife, the protection of ecosystems, the management of natural capital, the pollution of the oceans and sustainable urban development.
“In caring for the environment, it will be necessary to take on many vested interests and reject entrenched attitudes. This is about collaboration and partnership among all sectors of the society. We all – Government Officials, Civil Society Representatives and Members of the Private Sector – need each other to actualise the 2030 Agenda. This is why I am particularly happy about the partnership with Etisalat Nigeria and others. We need all sectors to work together to combat climate change and promote sustainable development,” she said.
While calling for an “inclusive green economy”, the minister called for collaboration among all stakeholders whom she enjoined to continue to put sustainability and equity at the heart of any economic decision-making, noting that most countries are beginning to reframe their economic policies and practices around sustainability and creation of an enabling macroeconomic environment among other positive measures.
