Dr. Michael Nwoko, a Fellow of the Royal Society for Public Health in the United Kingdom, a member of the American Public Health Association, and a Senior Special Assistant on Health Monitoring to the Delta State governor, emphasized the importance of effective policymaking in addressing the impacts of climate change and ensuring a safe environment.
Dr. Michael emphasized this point on Friday, February 9, during his participation as a panelist at the Ecosmart Climate Action Initiative (ECAI) table talk on the effects of climate change. The event, which focused particularly on its implications for health, air quality, and food security, took place at the Top Ranks Hotel Galaxy in Abuja.
Speaking from the perspective of policymaking in combating the effects of climate change and ensuring a safe environment, Dr. Michael acknowledged that climate change is one of the biggest challenges the world is currently facing.
In Nigeria, he stressed the need for a sustainable and renewable environment, emphasizing the importance of taking recycling initiatives seriously and fostering a cultural orientation that aligns with climate change action. He advocated for structured systems to be implemented, even at the local level.
Dr. Nwoko also praised notable Nigerians committed to environmental issues, such as Senator Ned Munir Nwoko, Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Environment. He highlighted Senator Nwoko’s efforts in championing a bill for the Establishment of Waste Management and Malaria Eradication Agency, which has successfully passed its first reading.
“Both the private sector and government sector have a huge role to play in addressing the issue of climate change. Private sectors must constantly assist with sensitization and advocacy, just like what we have here today. Putting up panelists to offer solutions and explain the situation in layman’s terms enables everyone to understand their role in saving the earth.
“In Nigeria, we have a significant role to play in establishing a sustainable and renewable environment. We must take recycling initiatives seriously. We must create a system that charges the value system of the people. We must build cultural orientation to align with climate change action. Organized structures must be put in place even at the local level.
“Fortunately, there are notable Nigerians who are committed and passionate about environmental issues. One such person is Senator Ned Munir Nwoko, the vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Environment. His passion for a sustainable environment and malaria eradication in Africa, particularly Nigeria, prompted him to champion a bill for the Establishment of Waste Management and Malaria Eradication Agency. A bill that has successfully passed its first reading.
“As Dr. Ayorinde perfectly mentioned, climate change can increase the chances of malaria, and we cannot evade the stark reality that malaria, a lethal ailment, is not just a burden placed upon distant shores but one that relentlessly plagues our own communities. This truth demands our proactive pursuit of solutions within our grasp. Had malaria afflicted the Western world, a solution might have been reached swiftly, akin to the rapid response seen in combating COVID-19. It is incumbent upon us to chart the path towards resolving our own challenges.
“Policies like this are what we need as a nation to combat the issue of climate change. Policies that take into consideration our unique peculiarities.” Dr Nwoko asserted.
