The President of Board of Trustees, Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF), Chief Philip Asiodu, has called for pragmatic approaches to check the predicted sea rise in Lagos that can affect many people in the coastal areas.
Asiodu made the call while giving remarks at his 90th birthday celebration organised by the NCF on Saturday, March 23, 2024, in Lagos.
He said that he was worried about the sea rise and appealed to the government to arrest the situation.
“Lagos as you know is not very large in terms of land space and we have a lot of conservation challenges in Lagos and with the global warming and all.
“Lagos is endangered if the sea should rise as it is predicted and if we don’t do much to arrest the situation, at about two million human beings will have to relocate.
“We pray that enough is done but certain urgent things will have to be done in Lagos,” he said.
He expressed fear that if nothing drastic “is done to check the sea rise, Lekki might be under the sea in the next 10 years”.
He noted that many beaches had gone under the sea due to coastal erosion and poor management of environmental issues, calling for a more workable friendly policy on environmental matters.
He also appealed to the federal and state governments to cooperate with the government to develop the country.
“I still believe there is hope and we can return to a very good system.
“We will soon discover that there is no section of this country that do not have enough intelligent men and women capable of transforming the country.
“So, let us pray that the country will survive, and we will do things right nationally and globally,” he said.
Earlier, in a tribute, the National Executive Council Chairman, Justice Bukola Adebiyi, said that Asiodu had always been working towards achieving the NCF’s vision of a Nigerian where people could prosper and live in harmony with nature.
“The course and message of conservation has been championed by Asiodu at every opportunity.
“Always available to lead us at NCF, chairing our numerous and lengthy meetings.
“He has always been leading our annual walk for nature and conservation trips and visits to various presidents of this country,” she said.
NCF Director General, Joseph Onoja, also noted that Asiodu had contributed not just to national development but also to the conservation of natural environment.
“When NCF was founded in 1980 by Chief S. L. Edu and his friends and after Edu’s demise, we needed someone that could continue with the strides, and we had Asiodu.
“We have moved NCF from that point onward and we have made so much impact, so we are here to celebrate him,” he said.
He added that Asiodu was a visionary person and was able to push NCF to where it is.
He advised younger generations to take care of the environment so that the environment would take care of them.
Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, in his remarks, congratulated Asiodu.
Represented by his Special Adviser on Climate Change, Mrs Titilayo Oshodi, the governor said that Asiodu had been a beacon of wisdom, dedication and stewardship.
“His exceptional dedication to the advancement of Lagos and by extension of Nigeria is commendable.
“His effort has inspired countless individuals to join in the noble cause of preserving our environment for future generations,” she said.
Born on Feb. 26, 1934, Asiodu is a conservationist who had always continued to foster collaboration with stakeholders on NCF’s visions.
He also has a distinguished career both in private and public sector as one of the outstanding leaders whose stewardship has shaped many corporations and businesses.
Dignitaries at the occasion included Chief Emeka Anyaoku, Former Commonwealth Secretary-General, Prof. Pat Utomi and captains of industries, among others.
The highlights of the events were drama, tributes, music and gift presentation.
By Henry Oladele
