President Bola Tinubu has pledged to redouble his commitment to safeguarding the environment and championing policies that will ensure the health and well-being of the populace.
Tinubu made the commitment at the maiden edition of the National Environment Health Excellence Award (NEHEA), organised by the Environmental Health Council of Nigeria (EHCON) on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, in Abuja.
He was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume.
“Together, we shall continue to push the boundaries of what is possible to improve our environment and public health. We will prioritise the people and the planet.
“The global challenges of climate change, environmental degradation and emerging health risks demand urgent and sustained attention. We cannot afford complacency.
“We must embrace innovation, collaboration and investment in sustainable solutions to safeguard our environment and public health for future generations. The road ahead demands boldness.”
Tinubu noted that the government alone cannot address environmental challenges.
He stressed that it is a collective responsibility, ranging from farmers adopting climate-smart techniques to corporations investing in green technology.
According to him, environmental stewardship is not a burden but an opportunity to redefine progress.
“Let us remain steadfast in pursuing a healthier and more sustainable Nigeria.
“I charge you all to be the generation that bridges the gap between promise and action. Let us leave behind a Nigeria where forests breathe, rivers run clean, and children thrive under skies untainted by pollution.”
Tinubu stated that the award ceremony was not just a recognition of individual excellence but a testament to “our collective resolve to forge a Nigeria where clean air, safe water and sustainable practices are the birthright of every citizen”.
He commended EHCON for its unwavering dedication to improving the nation’s environmental health standards and practices.
“Your leadership in elevating environmental health standards, from policy innovation to community action, sets a laudable example for the nation.”
Describing environmental health professionals as the unsung architects of public health, he added that they are “the silent sentinels shielding the nation’s communities from preventable diseases, climate threats, and ecological decay.
“Your work is the bedrock for building a healthier Nigeria.
“Today is significant as a celebration of individual achievements and a testament to the collective strides we have made as a nation in strengthening environmental health governance.”
Tinubu described the award as a dual calling, compelling him to redouble his commitment to championing policies and prioritising people and the planet.
“We must embrace innovation, collaboration and investment in sustainable solutions to safeguard our environment and public health for future generations. The road ahead demands boldness.”
Dr Yakubu Baba, EHCON Registrar, said the award recognises individuals and organisations, both in the public and private sectors who have distinguished themselves in the delivery and support of environmental health services and practices in Nigeria.
The president was awarded the title of Grand Patron of the National Environment and Public Health Association of Nigeria (NEPHAN) and “Life Fellow” of the Society for Environmental and Public Health of Nigeria (SEPHON).
The event also featured the unveiling of the National Environmental Health Practice Regulations 2025 and the inauguration of the Premises-Based National Greenhouse Gases (GHGs) Emission Monitoring Programme.
By Felicia Imohimi