A push for safe environment

Omolola Afolabi

THE Centre for Peace and Environmental Justice (CEPEJ), in collaboration with the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC), Lagos, has hosted stakeholders to a conference with the theme Climate action for peace in commemoration of the International Day of Peace.

CEPEJ National Coordinator Sherrif Mulade said climate change is real and that it is no longer a threat.

He noted that it is one of the greatest threats facing humanity. “Climate change is perhaps the biggest challenge faced by our generation today. Its effects are widespread with devastating effects on agriculture, energy, human health, terrestrial and marine ecosystems and their resources,” he added.

He urged stakeholders to ensure that thoughtful conversations and discourses were held on climate change while remadial actions continue .

Director, UNIC, Ronald Kayanja, assured that peace is at the heart of the work of the UN and that the global body would continue to lead awareness and mobilise the government, partners, civil society groups and faith-based organisations to work together.

He noted that peace isn’t just a world free from war, but also a world that is stable, where everyone can enjoy fundamental freedoms, where everyone thrives rather than meet basic needs.

Ifeoluwa Araoye, a pupil from Bosworth College, who spoke on how the event has impacted her, said: “Dumping refuse indiscriminately and burning refuse have severe environmental consequences and she would help to educate her peers and even the older generation on how crucial environmental sanity is.’’

A corps member, Justice Ibeh advocated that people should co-exist in peace as this guarantees  progress and development.

He said: “When people die, they say rest in peace, but it is just as important to live in peace. He believed the government needs the support of the people  to meet environmental goals and implored Nigerians to desist from habits that might be inimical to the health of all.

Other delegates at the event included representatives from Oshodi Local Government, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), University of Lagos cultural troupe, the Nigeria Army and secondary school pupils.