An elder statesman, Chief Philip Asiodu (CON) who was a former Minister of Petroleum, wants the government to come up with a long-term plan for restoring degraded ecosystems nationwide and making sure that significant portions of natural environments are preserved.
Speaking during a media chat in Lagos, Chief Asiodu also reminded the government of the need to fulfill its promise in the 1980s to return the country to a situation where 25 percent of its landmass is covered by forest.
The media chat was put together by the Nigerian Conservation Foundation, NCF, as part of activities marking the 90th birthday of the icon.
Chief Philip Asiodu, CON, who turned 90 on February 26, observed with displeasure that as a result of the destruction of forests, amongst sustainable practices leading to pollution of water, air, and land, the nation’s environment is in danger.
To save the environment, the President and Board of Trustees of the NCF, recommended a long-term plan that will among others increase the nation’s forest cover to at least 25 percent of the total landmass.
Given this, Chief Asiodu urged that Ecological Funds be prudently utilized by channeling them to the Ministry of Environment and Non-Governmental Organizations, NGOs doing commendable jobs in preserving the environment.
According to him, “I am hoping that the government should abandon this immediate self-gratification. They should think of the future, think of children -children, and help to make sure that money voted for the ecology is channeled to the Ministry of Environment and to NGOs who are trying to make sure that the environment is healthy.
The elder called for the urgent implementation of the recommendations of the FAO on covering 25 percent of the country’s landmass with forests as a condition for the environment to become safe, healthy, and productive.
“The promise made by the Nigerian government in the 1980s to return Nigeria to a situation where 25 percent of our areas is covered by forest. It was 35 percent plus at independence. It is 3 percent now.
“Forests have been destroyed and there is a world campaign that we go back to that FAO recommendation of 25 percent forest cover. The environment is in danger; let us not be part of those who destroy the environment.
Chief Asiodu described young people, especially those in schools as important stakeholders in driving environmental sustainability initiatives, urging them to be part of School Nature Clubs where their high IT skills and connections would help to amplify concerns about the environment.
He specifically advised every young Nigerian to plant and nurture at least a tree, towards recreating natural environments to enhance human comfort.
He said, “In schools, we have School Nature Clubs, Organised by NCF. In universities, we also have units and if there is space in their compounds, they should plant. Not only plant but water it, make sure it reaches the point it can survive.
“When you have trees and all that, birds will come, where birds come indicates life is good, condition is good. So they will help to contribute to a situation where future generations will be able to live their lives in a very natural environment.
“Being able to see birds, hear their songs, see butterflies and if they are going to the village, see brook of clear water running. It will be very good”.
Additionally, the elder statesman called for continuity in policies and programs of government for the nation to achieve sustainable growth.
According to him, if successive governments had continued the policies of their predecessors, the country would be ahead of many developed nations today. For instance, he said the country started assembling cars before South Korea, but due to a lack of continuity, it didn’t go far in the policy.
Also, Asiodu advised the government to be intentional in driving skills and technology development, saying that was what the country needed to take the economy out of its difficult state.
Chief Asiodu who was a Federal Permanent Secretary in the regime of General Yakubu Gowon, Special Adviser on Economic Affairs under Alhaji Shehu Shagari and Chief Economic Adviser to the former President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, took part in the negotiations for Nigeria’s admission into OPEC.
Born on February 26, 1934, Chief Philip Asiodu, an alumnus of King’s College, Lagos bagged a master’s degree in Philosophy from Queen’s College, Oxford before joining the Nigerian Civil Service in 1964.
