By Patricia Amogu
The Nigerian Institution of Environmental Engineers (NIEE) under the Aegis of the Nigerian Society of Engineers has called for proper water management and conservation towards achieving a clean global environment.
The group made the call at a Memorial Lecture and Fellowship Conferment held in memory of Late Chief Samuel Fadahunsi, in Abuja with the theme “Water Conservation and the Global Green transition”
The National Chairman of the Institution, Engr Sesan Odukoya, while delivering a keynote address, said that the conservation of water had become a global practice that required more synergy and better policies that will drive the course of a cleaner environment.
“We need to think about how we can conserve water, put infrastructures in place, develop more policies that can acclaim to such transition in order to surmount the challenges of Climate Change that has become so real to us.
“From low carbon emissions, adaptation to climate change, water management, to eradicating water pollution, we need to take action towards this Climate Change that has become so real to us, ” he said.
Odukoya said that, to respond to these challenges, both local and International collaborations need to be formed, professionals and the Government should come together to do more.
”Green transition depends on development , economic and social behavior, use of modern innovations. new technology and newer business approach.”
Engr. Ali Rabiu, President, Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), who delivered a lecture on the theme of the day, said that ”Water is the elixir of life on earth and is indispensable”
According to Dominic Akubo who represented the President, the primary objective of the transition plan is to promote a sustainable urban future giving that the growth of cities is an unstoppable trend and we have reached a point where we have to change the disadvantages into opportunities.
Water conservation is the preservation, and development of water resources, both surface and groundwater and prevention of pollution.
“Green transition is a social change strategy that will allow us to turn the current environment ally unsustainable Global paradigm that drives development and peace ,aiming to improve the living conditions of all.
“This topic solves us some questions; increasing demand, pollution, poor management, lack of infrastructure and changes in weather patterns due to global warming are key factors that affect availability of fresh water.
“We are trying to move away from fossil fuels towards embracing clean renewable and sustainable energy building smart cities,” he said.
According to him, only 0.1 per cent of the water nature has availed us is available as fresh water, 97 per cent is salt water .
Earlier, President, Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) Engr Tasiu Gidari-Wudil, during his opening remarks stressed on the importance of conservation of water to save lives.
Gidari-Wudil, represented by Engr Mrs Margaret Oguntala said that improving the state of our natural water has become paramount in harnessing our water sources from various water bodies.
“Water is life, so when you preserve it, you also preserve life,” she added.
Gift Ogochukwu, a student at the Junior Secondary School, Wuse, Zone 3, who attained first position in the essay competition, advised students to always thrive in what they set their minds until success has been attained.
Highpoints of the event were presentation of awards, fellowship conferment, presentation of gifts to the winner of the Secondary Essay Competition
