Group photograph showing the Emir of Nasarawa, HRH. Alh. Dr. Ibrahim Usman Jibril and other participants after the first Public Lecture Series organized by the Faculty of Environmental Science, in conjunction with Center for Environmental And Sustainable Development Studies in Nasarawa State University, Keffi.
By DOMINIC AKPENSUEN, Lafia –
The Emir of Nasarawa, HRH. Alh. Dr. Ibrahim Usman Jibril says the effects of climate change is a disaster to national economic development .
Alh. Jibril stated this during a presentation of first Public Lecture Series organized by the Faculty of Environmental Science, in conjunction with Center for Environmental And Sustainable Development Studies in Nasarawa State University, Keffi.
The public Lecture which was presented by the paramount ruler on the topic, “Facing Climate Change with Urban Spatial Development” maintained that the effects of climate change are enormous and requires urgent attention.
Alhaji Jibrin, who is also the former Minister of Environment, reiterated that climate change imposed hardship on the environment, such as storms, heat waves, raising sea levels, melting glaciers, and also has grave effects on human and animals.
The traditional ruler disclosed that climate change can wreak havoc on people’s livelihood and environment, cause food scarcity, create health risks, inadequate clean drinking water, poor conducive environment among others.
He urged the authority concerned to swing into action to arrest the ugly effects of climate change through skill spatial planners and design management programme to tackle the danger of climate change.
He noted that 33 states out of 36 states in Nigeria were enveloped by flooding, while calling on the government to vigorously confront climate change through proper planing and data collection.
He also called for enforcement of laws for deforestation and embark on afforestation, renewable energy, mitigation and climate financing, as well as adaptation plan, reform structures to improve on agriculture and food security.
In his welcome speech, the Dean Faculty of Environmental Science, Prof. Nasiru Idris Madugu, said the first Public Lecture was designed to proffer solutions to issues affecting national development caused by climate change.
Nasiru said the Faculty of Environmental Science which was established six years ago to make up eight faculties in the University, now has various departments, such as: Geography, Urban and Regional Planning, Environmental Management and Architecture respectively.
He further explains that, the mission and Vision of the faculty is to deal with design, construction, management and observation of natural environmental matters.
The dean called on the university management to establish an institution for the purpose of environmental research, and name it “Alh. Ibrahim Jibril institute of Environmental Studies” as a mark of honor to the traditional leader base on his huge support and numerous contribution for the growth of the university.
On his part, the chairman of the occasion, the Vice Chancellor Nasarawa State University Keffi, Prof. Bala Suleiman Muhammed expressed delight for the giant stride and boldness of the Faculty of Environmental Sciences for organizing the first public lecture, which he described as timing, historic and evocative.
Prof. Bala stressed that, climate change is not just a problem for the geographers or environmentalists, but has become a developmental and an existential issue.
He further said, the components of environment which include ecological, atmospheric, hydrological or geophysical are all impacted by climate change, causing various stages of damage and creating slum and environmental pollution in cities .
