Scholars at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University (NAU), Awka, Anambra state, Thursday, urged collaborative efforts and attitudinal change towards managing and sustaining the environment in the country.
They spoke at NAU’s Faculty of Environmental Sciences (FES’) maiden installation and award ceremony of environmental sustainability partners (ESPS) organised in conjunction with a taskforce on waste disposal and environmental cleaniness held at the university in Awka.
According to them, religious and traditional leaders, corporate institutions, schools, government, individuals, formal and non formal sectors, need commitment, increased public awareness, money and other resources to maintain clean and healthy environment.
Speaking at the event, the Dean of FES, Professor Chinedu Okoye, observed that Nigerians put their lives at stake by mismanaging environment in various ways, thereby endangering their lives and properties as well.
Presenting a paper entitled, “Achieving effective, efficient and sustainable community environmental sanitation by 2030: the role of everyone,” the guest lecturer, Dr David Onuoha, called for responsiveness, teamwork, sincerity and increased public awareness for proper environmental management and sanitation.
Also speaking, the chairman of the occasion, Estate Surveyor Raji Adewale, represented by Mr Inimfon Isaya, observed that the way humans interact with environment shape and impact the environment and the entire ecosystem.
Anambra state Commissioner for Environment, Mr Felix Odumegwu, said Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s administration had proposed a law and other mechanisms geared towards making everyone a participant in sanitation and environmental management.
Earlier, the Vice Chancellor, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Professor Charles Esimone, encouraged the younger generation to toe the line of nature, develop passion, commitment and synergy towards building a sustainable environment.
