Group Unveils Ambassadors for Campaign on SDGs, Ecosystem
A new dawn in the quest for ensuring environmental suitability was birthed with the unveiling and induction of ambassadors for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and ecosystem protection in Nigeria.
The campaign is championed by the Ambassadors for SDGs and Ecosystem Preservation Initiative (ASDGEPI) which is a global movement for environmental conservation and sustainable development.
The Surveyor General of the Federation, Surveyor Adebomeyin Abdulganiyu unveiled the ambassadors at a colourful ceremony held in Abuja.
The ambassadors are expected to make an impact by embarking on advocacy campaigns aimed at sensitizing the public on ecosystem-friendly practices in order to protect our environment against the menace of climate change effects.
According to Mr. Abdulganiyu, this movement is apt and timely as it happened when it is needed most as the country is presently grappling with natural disasters mostly triggered by climate change due to unguarded environmental practices.
He therefore enjoins the ambassadors to discharge their duties with passion and diligence to achieve the overall targeted goals of the initiative.
In his remarks, the Founder and Convener of ASDGEPI, Comrade Dominic Ogakwu lamented how our environment is facing a series of threats from both natural and human-induced disasters initiated by climate change.
According to him, climate change is responsible for the series of severe floods and droughts that affected many communities across Nigeria during the ongoing rainy season.
However, he identified a lack of adequate information dissemination on the dangers of climate change and sustainable environmental practices right from the grassroots level as one of the barriers to tackling the problem head-on.
“No doubt, the Maiduguri flood could have been averted if there exists an adequate flow of information regarding the looming danger which will force the authorities to take proactive measures,” he stated.
Comrade Dominic emphasized that environmental crises in the form of disasters will remain pronounced without proper implementation of countermeasures.
“Recently, there were signs of earth tremors in the Mpape area of Abuja. I hope that with this piece of available information, concerned authorities must have swung into action for possible measures,” said Comrade Ogakwu.
He added saying “Our world stands at the crossroads of profound environmental, social, and economic challenges. The climate crisis is no longer a distant threat- it is here, and it affects every aspect of life in Nigeria and beyond. From our farms and rivers to our cities and industries, the impacts are devastating.
“But within these challenges lies an extraordinary
opportunity: the opportunity for collective action and global leadership through the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).”
He finally stressed the need for collective action against the issue of climate change as outlined in number 13 of the United Nations SDGs.
Meanwhile, the ambassadors comprised personalities spanning civil society organizations, academia, media, traditional and religious leaders, civil servants and the private sector.
The event was graced by officials across government ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) including the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Ministry of Works, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), National Agency for the Great Green Wall, and National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) among others.
The high point of the event was the issuance of induction certificates to the ambassadors and the subsequent taking of an oath.