World Environment Day: CEEAIO, HMEF Urge Policy Makers To Raise Awareness On Preventing Environmental Pollution
By Simeon OSAJIE
The Coordinator of Clean Energy and Environment Advocacy Initiative (CEEAIO) in partnership with Health of Mother Earth Foundation, (HMEF) has called on policy makers to raise awareness about the importance of reducing our carbon footprint by transitioning to renewable energy sources and promoting energy efficiency.
The called was made by Dr. Sunny Duke Okosun, Coordinator of CEEAIO at an event to mark the 2025 World Environmental Day on Thursday, 5th June, 2025 at Ehizua Hub & Event Centre, 85 Airport Road Benin City, Edo State capital.
Welcoming policy makers and participants to the event, Dr. Okosun, who said to address these issues, we must reduce our carbon footprint by transitioning to renewable energy sources and promoting energy efficiency, noted that there the need to plant trees and support reforestation efforts to restore ecosystems arid mitigate climate change.
Dr. Okosun advised that implementing sustainable practices such as reducing, reusing, and recycling will surely minimize waste and pollution. He urged every individual to support eco-friendly policies and advocate for environmental protection.
According to him, “For a sustainable future, let’s work together to protect our planet and ensure a sustainable future for all. We can make a difference by taking small steps in our daily lives, such as: – Using public transport or carpooling, Reducing plastic use – Conserving water and energy – Supporting local conservation efforts.”
Delivering his lecture with the theme: “Beat Plastic Pollution”, Prof. Michael O. Osuide, professor of Environmental Ambrose Alli University (AAU) Ekpoma who dwell extensively of the most challenging issues facing the world Environment today is “Plastic Pollution”, described plastics are a group of synthetic or semi-synthetic materials: made from organic polymers; they are very common place, used in almost every facet of our social life, mainly as packaging material, within the family at homes, offices, schools, hospitals, on the streets, including ceremonies and conferences such as this etc. Plastics have become a ubiquity because it is very “convenient’” to use.
Prof. Osuide highlighted some remedies to plastic pollution which include: A return to paper use culture as much as possible; paper degrades easier & faster than plastics; Discourage and limit the use of cellophane as packaging material as much as possible; Encourage, morally and legally the re-use of plastic containers particularly, trying to eliminate single-use of plastics; Actors that can ordinarily degrade plastics include: heat, mechanical stress, atmospheric oxygen, solar radiation & heating; these can be scientifically, through research, be co-ordinated industrially to amplify degradation processes of plastics ona large scale, Development of more starch based polymer and plastic materials for use, and Bio-engineer bacteria and fungi or enzymes that can degrade polymer and plastic materials.”
In his admonition, the professor of Environmental said, “Man has the responsibility to protect himself and his environment, – otherwise, he faces existential threat! The earth can die of plastic suffocation; if the earth dies, man dies.”
There was panelist discussion on Environmental Pollution and it’s Implications, anchored by Amenze Bazuaye of ITV/Radio News, Benin.
The Panelist are Prof. Mike Omoigberale, Chairman, Edo State Chapter, Nigerian Environmental Society, Prof. Anthony Ekata Ogbeide, Dept of Animal and Environmental Biology, University, Mr. Lucky Nehita Inegbenehi, Managing Director, Edo Waste Management Board, Frank Inenemo, Head, Environmental Health and Climate Change Desk, Ministry of Health, and Bernadette Strebel, President of Association, Bernadette Strebel World Peace, Europe.
Highpoints of the event was the presentation of Awards and Goodwill Messages from the awardees. The awardees are Emeritus Prof. Felix Okeimen, For DVC, Uneben, Sir Andy Ehanire, MD/CEO, Ogba Zoological Gardens and Resorts, Prof. Mike Omoigberale, among others.
