In line with its efforts geared towards creating and improving a sustainable environment alongside the UN-adopted Agenda for Sustainable Development, Nigeria’s most environment-friendly telecommunication company, Etisalat, held a one-day seminar on environmental protection and preservation for students of one of its adopted schools, Government Girls College, Dala, Kano State.
The event, themed “Driving Nigeria’s Environmental Health”, was organised in commemoration of the 45th celebration of the World Environmental Day which holds annually on June 5 with the primary goal of creating awareness for a healthy environment while calling for the development of an imbibed culture of environmental safety among various stakeholders.
Speaking in her opening remarks, Manager, Corporate Social Responsibility, Etisalat Nigeria, Oyetola Oduyemi said the occasion was a reflection of the company’s commitment to the sustainable development of the nation.
“At Etisalat, we are committed to the advancement and wellbeing of the nation and we ensure that our impact is felt globally. This celebration is to create awareness on the state of our environment and also to drive positive environmental action, to protect and preserve our planet. This is of utmost importance as some parts of our nation are prone to desertification, deforestation and drought,” she said.
The event also featured a key note presentation on the Environment and its Health Significance by the Mary Elika Foundation (MEF), an Abuja-based non-governmental organization.
The Strategy Manager of the Foundation and Head of the School Environment Club Program, Mr. Emmanuel Adikwu, called on the students and guests to take up the challenge of becoming environmental ambassadors with goals to safeguard the environment against unwholesome activities that are threats to its sustainability.
Speaking further, Mr. Adikwu identified some measures that can be adapted, promoted and institutionalized in the bid to curb climate change which is occasioned by environmental degradation. These include tree planting, appropriate waste management, sustainable agriculture, appropriate use of water bodies, adaptation to the use of renewable energy, wildlife conservation, recycling and erosion control among others.
The occasion was also marked with a symbolic planting of tree sapling by the Etisalat CSR team, functionaries of the Kano State Education Board and representatives from the Management of Government Girls College, Dala. Recycling bins were also presented to the school for effective waste management.
The World Environmental Day (WED) is the biggest and most celebrated global event for positive environmental action, and is set aside by the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) to raise global awareness for positive and conscious action to protect nature and the planet earth.
