A two-day forum that explored environmental implications of 100 years of Nigeria’s existence came to a close on Thursday in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The Nigerian Environment Centenary Symposium (1914-2014), which had “The Nigerian Environment: Past 100 years and the future”, held at the University of Ibadan, courtesy of the institution’s Department of Environmental Health Sciences (in the Faculty of Public Health of the College of Medicine) as well as the Nigerian Environmental Study Action Team (NEST).
The symposium and book concept, chaired by Professor Emeritus Akin Mabogunje, took stock of Nigeria’s total environment as regards what has been achieved so far and the directions to move forward.
Speakers were invited based on their expertise, past scientific contributions and vision for the nation’s growth and development. They reviewed the trend, major developments and lapses in safeguarding the Nigerian environment over the past century, and drawing a blueprint for future development.
The papers presented will be compiled into a book that will form a standard reference point for future generations.
The thematic topics were: Land Resources, Water Resources, Atmosphere, Biosphere, Coastal and Marine Environments, Energy and Environment, Environment and Health, Urbanisation, Industry, Waste Management, Environmental Education and Awareness Raising, Environmental Disasters and Emergencies, Environmental Governance and the Economics of Managing the Nigerian Environment.
The resources persons were: Prof E. E. Okpara of NEST (Land Resources and Erosion), Prof Emeritus N. M. Gadzama and Prof H. K. Ayuba of the University of Maiduguri (Desertification), Prof Daniel Gwary of the University of Maiduguri (Land Use), Dr D. T. Gowon (Evolution of Water Resources Management and Development in Nigeria: Possible Future Trajectory), Babatope Babalobi of USAID (Water Supply), Dr Elizabeth Oloruntoba and Prof M. K. C. Sridhar of the University of Ibadan (History of Sanitation and Hygiene Practices in Nigeria), Dr Godson Ana of the University of Ibadan (Air Quality in Nigeria), Prof Olukayode Oladipo of Kado Consult and Dr Ibidun of University of Ibadan (Changing Climate in Nigeria), Prof Emeritus David Okali of NEST and Prof A. O. Isichei of Obafemi Awolowo University (The Nigerian Environment: Past 100 Years and the Future Ecosystems), Prof Labode Popoola of the University of Ibadan and Prof E. C. Nzegbule of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture (Trends in Development of Forestry in Nigeria), Prof B. A. Ola-Adams (Biodiversity), Dr Gloria Ujor of the Federal Ministry of Environment (Historical Perspectives and Domestication of the Convention on Biological Diversity in Nigeria), Alade Adeleke of the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (Assessment of Policy and Practice of Biodiversity Conservation), Prof Chidi Ibe (The Coastal and Marine Environment), Prof Chris Ikporukpo of the University of Ibadan (The Environment of the Niger Delta), and Huzi Mshelia of Huzi & Associates (Expanding Renewable Energy Access for Environmental Sustainability).
Others included: Joanna Maduka of Friends of the Environment (Gender, Energy and Environment), Prof O. O. Kale of the University of Ibadan (The Environment and Health), Bolarinwa Olowe of Konsadem Consultants (Urbanisation, Industry and Waste Management), Prof Moses Inyang-Abia of the University of Calabar (Evolutionary Trends in Environmental Education), Michael Simire of EnviroNews Nigeria (Awareness Raising), Dr Babatunde Lawal of the Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education (Environmental Education and Awareness Programme), Ako Amadi of the Community Conservation & Development Initiatives (Reducing the Risk of Environmental Disasters), Dr A. C. Anuforom of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (Weather and Climate Services for Environmental Disaster Management), Dr Ngeri Benebo of the National Environmental Standards & Regulation Enforcement Agency (NESREA) (Evolving a New Institutional Mechanism for Environmental Protection and Sustainable Development in Nigeria), Prof Matt Ivbijaro of Mattivi Nigeria Limited (Environmental Governance in Nigeria), Prof Margaret Okorodudu-Fubara of the Obafemi Awolowo University and Dr Tope Ako of the University of Hull, UK (Environmental Justice, Equity and Rights in Nigeria), Prof Olanrewaju Fagbohun of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (Law and Ethics from Pre-Colonial to Post-Colonial Era), Prof Anthony Ikpi of the University of Ibadan, Prof Adeniyi Osuntogun of Resource Integrated Development Foundation and Prof Chinedum Nwajiuba of the Imo State University (Economics of Managing the Nigerian Environment).
, which had “The Nigerian Environment: Past 100 years and the future”, held at the University of Ibadan, courtesy of the institution’s Department of Environmental Health Sciences (in the Faculty of Public Health of the College of Medicine) as well as the Nigerian Environmental Study Action Team (NEST).){kind=link}