The Nigerian Environmental Society (NES) has inaugurated its Ekiti State Chapter with a call for stronger collaboration among government agencies, professionals, academic institutions and communities to tackle environmental challenges and promote sustainable development.
The inauguration, held at the Staff Development Centre, State Secretariat, Ado-Ekiti, brought together representatives of government ministries, departments and agencies, regulatory bodies, professional associations, universities and other stakeholders in environmental management.
Speaking at the ceremony, the newly installed State Chairman of NES, Dr.Olusoji Otugboyega, expressed appreciation to stakeholders for their participation and promised to serve without compromise.
The National President of NES, Dr. Efegbidiki Okobia (FNES), represented by the National President II, Dr. Chukwuma Omeje (FNES), stressed the need for professionals, government institutions, academic communities and residents to work together to advance environmental protection, conservation, pollution control and sustainability.
Delivering the keynote address, the commissioner for Environment, Chief Tosin Aluko represented by the Permanent Secretary, of the ministry, Dr. Sunday Omoya reaffirmed the commitment of the state government to environmental governance and called for stronger partnerships among stakeholders to effectively address environmental challenges.
Goodwill messages were delivered by representatives of the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), Ekiti State Waste Management Board, Ekiti State Environmental Protection Agency, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) stakeholders, Environmental Health Officers Association of Nigeria (EHOAN), the Ministry of Health and Human Services, and academic institutions.
Others included representatives of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti, Federal University of Technology and Environmental Sciences, Iyin, Venite University, Iloro-Ekiti, as well as other environmental professionals and government officials.
Among the dignitaries at the event were the NES South-West Councilor, Dr. Patrick Okpha (OON); Secretary, NES Ondo State Chapter, Mr. Gbenga Olatunbosun; Pioneer Registrar of Ekiti State Polytechnic and board member of the South-West Development Commission, Dr. Gbenga Olorunsola; State Epidemiologist, Ekiti State Ministry of Health and Human Services, Dr. Bosede Alowooye; State Chairman, EHOAN, Sanitarian Onojo Adebayo; and Director of Environmental Health Services, Ekiti State Waste Management Authority, Sanitarian Ariyo Emmanuel.
Others were the Acting Head of Department, Environmental Management and Toxicology, Federal University Oye-Ekiti, Dr. Joseph Adeyeye; Acting Head of Department, Environmental Science and Management, Dr. Olusola Johnson Adedeji; Dr. Lekan Faboya, former Acting Head of Department of Chemistry, Federal University Oye-Ekiti; Dr. Adewunmi A.D. of Venite University; Mr. Akintunde Taofeek of NESREA; and Director of WASH, Ekiti State Ministry of Infrastructure and Public Utilities, Engr. Faroye Adewale.
A major highlight of the ceremony was the formal inauguration of the pioneer executive members of the Ekiti State Chapter by the representative of the NES National President.
The pioneer executive members are Dr. Otugboyega Joseph Olusoji as Chairman; Mr. Falade Joseph Damilola as General Secretary; Mrs. Oluwagbemi Olayide as Treasurer/Financial Secretary; Mrs. Ojofun Adebanke as Public Relations Officer; and Mrs. Oluwafemi Adedoyin Florence as Assistant Secretary.
A lecture on air pollution was delivered by Dr. Lekan Faboya, a member of the Ekiti State chapter and former Acting Head of Department of Industrial Chemistry, Federal University Oye-Ekiti.
The lecture examined the causes and effects of air pollution and emphasized the importance of effective monitoring, public awareness, regulatory enforcement and individual responsibility in controlling the menace.
The newly installed chairman, Dr. Otugboyega, also performed his first official assignment by inducting new members into the Society.
The induction, according to the organisers, further strengthened the membership base of the new chapter and reaffirmed the commitment of the inductees to the objectives of NES.
