By Mashe Umaru Gwamna
Newly inaugurated leadership of the Institute of Environmental Practitioners of Nigeria (IEPN), has inaugurated it first governing council.
The new leadership said their major goal is to advocated and prioritized pressing need of environmental challenges.
The council made this known during the inauguration ceremony yesterday in Abuja.
The ceremony which was attended by environmental stakeholders and dignitaries underscored the critical role of the IEPN in addressing the nation’s pressing environmental concerns.
The first president and chairman of the Institute, Prof Lawrence Ezemonye emphasized the institute’s pivotal role in safeguarding Nigeria’s natural heritage.
He highlighted the challenges encountered in establishing the IEPN, emphasizing the importance of enacting the institute’s establishment Act into law.
He said, “The creation of the IEPN represents a strategic merger of the Nigerian Environmental Society (NES) and the Waste Management Society of Nigeria (WAMASON), reflecting a unified effort to tackle environmental issues plaguing the nation.
“With a comprehensive mandate encompassing ecological assessments, environmental management, sustainability, and stewardship, the IEPN aims to intervene decisively in protecting the Nigerian environment from both natural disasters and human-induced calamities.”
Professor Ezemonye extended gratitude to the Federal Government of Nigeria, particularly President Muhammadu Buhari, for signing the IEPN Act into law.
He also acknowledged the instrumental roles played by former President Oluremi Tinubu, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations Amina Mohammed, and other stakeholders in the institute’s establishment.
Ezemonye stressed the collective responsibility of all citizens in preserving Nigeria’s ecological balance. He called for active participation from individuals, urging them to recognize their roles as stewards of the planet.
“The inauguration of the Institute of Environmental Practitioners of Nigeria signifies a significant milestone in Nigeria’s environmental journey, signaling a renewed commitment to safeguarding the nation’s natural heritage for future generations,” he said.
The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Environment, Sen Yunus Akintunde, advised practitioners to always take institutional ethics very seriously, emphasizing its importance despite its simplicity.
“Integrity and objectives are crucial, as they define how society perceives us,” he said.
IEPN COUNCIL NOMINEES include:
President of the institute
Prof. Lawrence Ezemonye,
Vice president of the institute
Engr. Chukwukeluo Chukwuogo, Registrar of the Institute
Engr Yakubu Waziri,
Treasurer Paul Akporowho.
Others are
legal adviser Barr. Ifunaya Charity Nwajagu, Council members
Prof. Babajide Alo,
PROF. Oladele Osibanjo,
ENGR. Anda Wai-ogosu,
DR. Dorothy Bassey,
ARC. Reuben M. Ossai among many others .
