The Minister of State for Environment, Dr. Iziaq Salako has affirmed the commitment of his ministry to collaborate with the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) in promoting nature conservation, managing natural and environmental resources, and advancing sustainability development in Nigeria.
During an official working visit to the ministry in Abuja, Salako assured the NCF delegation, led by its director-general, Dr. Joseph Onoja of the government’s support in addressing critical environmental issues. He specifically mentioned the pressing concern of coastal erosion along the Lekki-Epe axis in Lagos and other coastal regions, expressing confidence that a partnership between his ministry, coastal states and the NCF would lead to effective solutions.
Coastal erosion has been identified as a significant challenge by the ministry, warranting extensive collaboration between federal and coastal state authorities and the NCF. Salako highlighted the importance of public environmental awareness and urged the NCF to actively engage in forest conservation advocacy and sensitisation.
Onoja provided insights into the foundation’s global affiliations, including being the BirdLife International Partner in Nigeria, an association with the World Wide Fund Formation (WWF) and membership in the World Conservation Union (WCU) and the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). He emphasised the NCF’s mutually beneficial partnerships with the Federal Ministry of Environment and other relevant government departments and stakeholders, aimed at preserving Nigeria’s unique biodiversity, enhancing livelihoods and promoting sustainable lifestyles for the benefit of both humanity and nature.
The NCF extended its congratulations to Salako for his well-deserved appointment as part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration. This partnership between the Ministry of Environment and the NCF signifies a vital step toward addressing environmental challenges and promoting conservation and sustainability efforts in Nigeria.
