The Federal Ministry of Environment on Tuesday, April 16, 2024, in Abuja expressed determination to partner with the Institute of Environmental Practitioners of Nigeria (IEPN) on environmental sustainability.
Malam Balarabe Lawal, the Minister of Environment, said this at the inauguration ceremony of the 1st Governing Council of IEPN.
Lawal, who was represented by Dr Olubunmi Olusanya, Director, Pollution Control and Environmental Health in the ministry, assured that the Ministry would unlock all potentials in the environment sector and regulate environmental professionalism.
Prof. Lawrence Ezemonye, President and Chairman of Governing Council of IEPN, said that the institute is saddled with the responsibility of regulating the activities of its members in protection of the Nigerian environment.
“Today marks the beginning of a new era in Environmental Governance and Ecosystem Management in Nigeria. It was not an easy task going through the process of signing the IEPN establishment Act into Law.
“Nothing signposts man’s apparent failure to protect Mother Nature than our apathy in combating climate change challenges.
“As a matter of fact, the symbiotic relationship between man and the environment seems to have collapsed. Every passing day presents daunting environmental challenges interfering with ecosystem matrices such as water, air, land and man,” Ezemonye said.
The president said that it behooves on all, to ensure the sustainability of the Nigerian environment.
He said that the primary mandate of the council is to protect the environment by regulating the activities of environment users in order to proffer environmental justice.
Ezemonye commended the Federal Government of Nigeria for signing the IEPN Act into Law.
By Abigael Joshua
