OSEPA COLLABORATES WITH IKARAM PROGRESSIVES UNION (IPU) ON CREATING AWARENESS ON GOOD ENVIRONMENTAL PRACTICES FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
As part of its environmental sensitization engagements with communities in Ondo State, the State Environmental Protection Agency (OSEPA) Team was at Ikaram Akoko on Friday 25th August, 2023.
The Agency in collaboration with Ikaram Progressive Union (IPU) held a lecture with the Theme “Awareness on Good Environmental Practices for Sustainable Development” for the people of Ikaram at the Community Town Hall, in commemoration of IPU Annual Women Empowerment Programme.
Aside the participation of the OSEPA Team, the event had in attendance the Akala of Ikaram Kingdom, HRM Oba Andrew Olamoyi Momodu (Rtd. Navy Commondore) accompanied by Olori Shaba, High Chief E.T Adegbete, the Osona 1 and Chief Mrs. R. Elegbeye, the Bobatolu of Ikaram.
The event also featured the National President of IPU, Chief (Dr.) Odomode Adeyemi Ololade Opemipo LaCrown and the IPU National Social Secretary, Alasan Kamoru. Others include Dr. Engr. Mojisola Tajudeen and the Representative of the Special Guest of Honour Mrs. Maryam Sobowale nee Giwa.
The Leader of the Team from OSEPA, Mr. Oluyemi Oluwatosin remarked that OSEPA was resuscitated by the present Administration in Ondo State, ably led by Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu CON SAN in January 2022 to rid the State of all forms of environmental pollution and ensure a safe, healthy and clean environment in Ondo State.
He opined that the Agency, well-marshaled by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Environment, Hon. Oyeniyi Oseni and the Ag. Permanent Secretary of the OSEPA, Princess Korede Giwa who is one of the illustrious daughters of Ikaram, is poised to collaborate with the Community to ensure that good environmental practices are imbibed by the people of the Community, most especially in the area of pollution management, flood control, sanitation, protection of the ozone layer and other climatic change mitigations.
The two (2) Lead Speakers at the event are Mr. Obaado Gabriel (Snr. Scientific Officer, OSEPA) and Mrs. Aruwajoye Florence (Snr. Environmental Health Officer, OSEPA).
The first speaker, Mrs. Aruwajoye talked extensively on the challenges of open defecation and its effects/health implications on humans. She adduced reasons why people practise open defecation to include; lack/inadequacy of public toilet, defective/insanitary toilet, poor lightened toilet, ignorance/illiteracy, behaviouralchanges etc. She stressed the need for every household to build a latrine accommodation and that a toilet can be built with a budget of about #50,000.00.
She listed the effects of open defecation to include health implication (i.e. typhoid, malaria etc); environmental implication (i.e. unsightliness and land pollution); safety implication (i.e. tendency for snake bites/scorpion stings in the bush and incidences of rape as a result of woman nakedness).
She concluded by admonishing participants to build toilets for themselves and the need for proper personal hygiene in order to live a better life with good health for one and for all.
The second speaker, Mr. Obaado Gabriel spoke extensively on how to create good environmental practices for sustainable development to thrive.
He listed activities that impact negatively on the environment to include; wild fire/bush burning, deforestation, indiscriminate disposal/poor waste management particularly plastic wastes etc.
Mr. Obaado mentioned some of the impacts of these activities to include climate change, flooding, depletion of ozone layer, pollution leading to deterioration of human health, loss of aquatic lives etc.
He suggested some way forward which include afforestation/planting of trees, stoppage of felling of trees, saying no to bush burning/wild fire, stoppage of indiscriminate discharge of wastes, minimizing the use of disposable /single use products e.g. nylon & plastics and promoting biodegradable products.
Responding, the Akala of Ikaram Akoko, Oba Andrew Olamoyi Momodu (a Rtd Navy Cdre) said it is a law in Ikaram Community that every house must have a toilet.
The monarch encouraged the citizens to stop fetching water for drinking from the popular stream in the town and always tap water from the available boreholes in the town.
He made a passionate appeal to the State Government to complete the water project in the town, to forestall any incident of water borne diseases.
Also speaking, the IPU National President, Chief (Dr.) Odomode Adeyemi LaCrown appealed to the people to take responsibility for the management of their environment by building at least one (1) toilet in each household.
He cited the need for public toilets
in the town as he promised that the Association (IPU) would continue to work to develop the Community.
LaCrown appreciated OSEPA for partnering with Ikaram Community on good environmental practices and sustainability.
The highlight of the event was the distribution of Gas Cylinders to some women in the Community by the IPU.
This is to discourage the use of firewood for cooking and promoting ecosystem friendly practices.
