Sodiq Ojuroungbe
The Human and Environmental Development Agenda has urged the Federal Government to conduct a constitutional amendment and allocate roles and resources that empower traditional institutions to protect forests, combat desertification, and prevent droughts.
The advocacy group emphasized that addressing deforestation and desertification requires leveraging the influence and authority of traditional institutions.
HEDA Executive Secretary, Sulaimon Arigbabu made the call in a statement made available to PUNCH Healthwise on Wednesday, to commemorate the 2024 World Environment Day.
According to the UN, World Environment Day has been held annually since 1973 and has grown to be the largest global platform for environmental outreach.
This year’s theme is ‘land restoration, desertification and drought resilience’, and according to Arigbagbu, the call to empower traditional institutions aligns with the theme of this year’s World Environment Day.
He noted that deforestation and desertification resonate deeply in Nigeria, pose significant threats in the southern and northern parts of the country.
He noted that traditional rulers were integral to Nigeria’s administrative structure until the 1966 coup and the subsequent unitary constitution.
Further recognising their potential contributions, Arigbagbu stated, “It is high time we heed their call, recognising the vital contributions they can make in addressing insecurity, land degradation, and resource abuse. This is a critical step in deepening our democracy.”
The Executive Secretary of the advocacy group urged the government to seize the opportunity presented by the ongoing constitutional amendment process to formally bring traditional rulers into the fold of environmental protection.
“By empowering them to safeguard our forests, we can leverage their grassroots influence and cultural authority to drive sustainable practices and mitigate the devastating effects of deforestation and desertification,” Arigbabu added.
He also called for collective efforts to protect the environment and ensure a sustainable future for generations to come.
The executive secretary argued that by integrating traditional institutions into environmental governance, Nigeria can adopt more pragmatic and fit-for-purpose approaches to environmental protection.
He further said, “This integration would not only address current environmental challenges but also strengthen the overall governance structure in the country.
“As Nigeria confronts the dual threats of deforestation and desertification, HEDA’s proposal offers a promising path forward.
“The involvement of traditional rulers could significantly enhance the effectiveness of environmental initiatives, blending traditional wisdom with modern governance to safeguard the nation’s natural resources and ensure a sustainable future.”
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