Rivers State chapter of the United States Government Exchange Alumni Association has warned against indiscriminate tree cutting due to its negative impact on the environment.
The group made this plea at an event it organised to mark the 2024 World Environment Day Celebration at the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The Rivers State chapter president of the group, Professor Edward Ezedike, told newsmen during the event that the habit of cutting down trees must stop, noting that those indulging in such habits do not know the implications of what the action would cause the environment.
“As you can see in the Northern part of Nigeria, there is desertification and desert encroachment and if you look at this part of the country, people are cutting down trees indiscriminately, and some of them don’t even know the implications of what they are doing. They should stop that practice and instead plant trees,” he said.
Professor Andrew Obafemi of the Department of Geography at the University of Port Harcourt said the theme for this year’s celebration was to emphasize the importance of environmental conservation.
Obafemi said the one-day event’s theme, “Our land, our future,” was chosen to highlight issues that negatively impact the environment and what should be done to bring about change.
The university don who regretted the level of environmental degradation in the Niger Delta said that the situation requires enormous efforts to rebuild the ecosystem.
He also said the government must lead in environmental restoration by implementing experts’ opinions and advice.
Also at the event, the University of Port Harcourt Librarian and director of American Corner, Port Harcourt, Prof. Helen Amasealu, said it was the responsibility of all stakeholders to join hands in protecting the earth.