The President, Board of Trustees (BOT) of the Nigeria Conservation Foundation (NCF), Izoma Philip Asiodu, CFR, has called for the proper management of ecological funds in the country.
Asiodu made the call on Wednesday in Lagos at a media interview to mark his 90th birthday.
He said that ecological funds should be given to the ministry of the environment and also NGO’s who work in protecting the environment to assist them discharge their duties to nature more effectively.
He charged the Federal Government to consider issues of environmental sustainability in its decisions and policies.
He appealed to the federal government to develop policies and programmes that would impact the future generations of Nigerians.
The nonagenarian also called on the government to do all within its powers to restore the lost forest cover of the country.
“The federal government should fulfil the promise made by Nigeria to returm it’s depleted forest cover to 25 per cent.
“At independence, Nigeria’s forest cover was 35 per cent plus, but it is now at three per cent, indicating that the forest has been destroyed,” Asiodu said.
The BOT president said that there is an ongoing campaign aimed at tree planting and aforestation, in line with the recommendation of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) mandate
The elder statesman urged NCF to continue the good work of environmental sustainability throughout the country.
“I want the NCF to replicate what is doing at the Lekki Conservation Center throughout the country.,” Asiiodu said.
He appealed to NCF to initiate and promote more environmental clubs in schools to inculcate the love for nature among pupils and students.
He enjoined every Nigerian to cultivate the habit of planting trees as a way of mitigating the harsh effects of climate change.
The BOT president was one of General Gowon’s Super Permanent Secretaries.
He was among the first-generation of post-independence Nigerian bureaucrats who laid the foundation for the administrative structure of modern Nigeria.
He turned 90 on Feb. 26.
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