Chief Ede Dafinone, the Chairman, National Executive Council of the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) at the 6th Lagos Public Relations Stakeholders’ Conference said that climate change will lead to increase in sea level which will sub-merge coastal communities in Nigeria.
The event with the theme “Conversations to Promote Environmental Sustainability in Nigeria” held at Agip Hall, Muson Centre, Onikan Lagos on Thursday, 29thAugust 2019, was organised by Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) Lagos Chapter.
Dafinone as the Chairman of the conference made a well rounded speech on the theme. He said, “Organisations are moving from being corporate socially responsible to being corporate socially environment responsible”
He observed that the world is in the middle of catastrophe of Amazon, and the significant of this is well known all over. This has major effect on climate change. Climate change in turn will cause rise in the sea level, this will make coastal communities to go under water soon.
He cited example of Bar Beach and Alfa Beach in Lagos. He said “the development currently at the Bar Beach may be sub-merged under water if positive actions are not taken to mitigate it”
He said further that “25% of the fish in oceans have ingested plastics. People are eating plastic because they eat the fish.”
Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Governor of Lagos State, who was represented by the Commissioner of Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotosho tasked manufacturers to cooperate with the State Government on the use of recyclable and biodegradable materials in product packaging. He said “We will continue to engage the co-operation of manufacturers in the production or usage of recyclable or bio-dermacable materials. I call on all stakeholders to support strategies and programmes aimed at ensuring environmental sustainability of the ‘Smart City of Lagos.
Mr. Segun McMedal, Chairman of NIPR Lagos State Chapter in his opening remark, raised a concern about how our environment is becoming unsuitable for businesses due to human activities. He said “At a time that the world is bedeviled with the threat of environmental degradation, climatic change and its attendant consequences across the globe, there is the need for concerted efforts to check human activities that are threatening our continuous existence on planet earth.”
Present at the event were Engr. Aliyu Aziz, Director General, National Identity Management Commision (NIMC); Dr. (Mrs.) Jumoke Kassim, CEO, Naturescape Consulting; Dr. Austin Tam-George, former Commissioner for Information, Rivers State; Dr. Ubon Essien Nsiabia, Asst. Director, Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA); Mr. Yomi Badejo Okusanya, President, Association of Public Relations in Africa (APRA); Mrs. Nkechi Alli-Balogun, NIPR Council Member, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, Chief Press Secretary to the Lagos State Governor among others.
