By Baba Yusuf
Senior Special Assistant to the President on the Millennium Development Goals (SSAP-MDGs), Dr. Precious Kalamba Gbeneol, has urged Nigerians to imbibe the culture of protecting the environment for sustainability.
Gbeneol, who made this remark on the occasion of World Environment Day, also stated that with concerted efforts, the society could be better for habitation as well as help the country in attaining the Goal 7 (Achieving Environmental Sustainability) of the MDGs framework.
In a statement issued by the Head, Information and Communication, Dr Christopher Otabor, she said with increasing global threats of climate change, drastic decline of biodiversity and the extreme vulnerability, Nigerians must challenge themselves to step up efforts to protect and preserve the ecosystem through usage of biodegradable and eco-friendly products as well as recycling of plastic products.
Gbeneol also called for concerted efforts towards addressing issues relating to the acceleration of biodiversity loss caused by climate change for the benefits of the society.
The statement said: “OSSAP- MDGs has also since 2007 supported the Federal Ministry of Environment in the establishment of Solid Waste Management Programme in some communities of in Ogun, Borno, Bayelsa, Gombe and Kwara states.
“OSSAP-MDGs has since 2006 initiated a series of interventions aimed at expanding access to potable water for all Nigerians. Efforts in this direction have been channelled through the Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources, the Conditional Grants Scheme to states, the Quick-Wins programme and the MDGs Special Projects programme.”