By Emmanuel Oluwakorede
As the world mark this year’s Environment Day, the people of Kogi State have been urged to protect the environment from consequences of climate change.
In commemorating the day in Kogi State, the National Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission N-HYPPADEC in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment and National Environmental Society organized series of activities to mark the day.
Speaking in a message to the occasion, the Commissioner of Environment and Ecology Management, Engineer Joseph Olusegun said the day is a annual event, saying the environment plays significant roles in the lives of mankind and animals.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Alhaji Jibril Seidu noted that a lot of factors currently affect the environment, saying all hands must be on deck to protect the environment.
The Commissioner commended the Commission for playing critical role in bringing succour to victims of environmental problems in the State, urging them to do more.
The State Coordinator of N-HYPPADEC, Engineer Joan Oguche, who donated seedlings to the Ministry and the Faculty of Science, Federal University Lokoja enjoined the people to plant trees as a way of protecting the environment.
Engineer Oguche explained that the day is set aside to appraise issues affecting the environment and ways of addressing it.
She pledged the commitment of N-HYPPADEC to achieving its mandate to the people.
In a remark, the State Chairman of National Environmental Society, Doctor Thompson Ekele stated that the theme of the celebration, “Land restoration, desertification and drought resilience” is key to actualizing the the seventeenth goals of the Sustainable Development.
The celebration featured tree planting, road walk, lectures on what to do before and after flood, how to keep the environment clean and aimed of tree planting among others.