Politics
THE Ogun Government has reaffirmed its commitment to environmental sustainability and clean energy adoption through initiatives aimed at tackling climate change.
The commitment was reiterated on Tuesday during the 2026 World Environment Day celebration held at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Abeokuta, with the theme, “Inspired by Nature: For Climate, For Our Future”.
Speaking at the event, the Wife of the Governor, Mrs Bamidele Abiodun, said the theme underscored the need to protect nature and draw lessons from natural ecosystems in tackling the growing challenges of climate change.
Abiodun described forests, wetlands, trees and biodiversity as critical support systems for human survival, noting that they offered practical models for resilience and sustainability.
She said that nature should be regarded not merely as a resource for exploitation but as a partner that must be protected for the benefit of future generations.
According to her, the administration of Gov. Dapo Abiodun has demonstrated leadership in environmental governance through improved waste management systems, environmental sanitation programmes and flood control projects.
The governor’s wife noted that investments in environmental protection remained essential for public health, food security, economic growth and sustainable development.
Highlight of the event was the distribution of Clean Cook Stoves and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) cylinders to women across the state through a partnership between the Federal Ministry of Environment and the state government.
Abiodun said the initiative was designed to improve public health, empower women and reduce environmental degradation associated with the use of firewood and charcoal.
She urged the beneficiaries to serve as ambassadors of clean energy by sensitising members of their communities on the benefits of cleaner cooking technologies.
The governor’s wife also highlighted the importance of Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) as an innovative waste-to-energy solution capable of converting combustible waste into alternative fuel for industrial use.
In his keynote address, the Commissioner for Environment, Mr Ola Oresanya, said Ogun had continued to prioritise environmental sustainability as a key component of its development agenda.
Oresanya said the state had intensified climate action through tree-planting campaigns, ecosystem protection programmes and partnerships with national and international organisations to build climate-resilient communities.
He noted that the promotion of RDF remained a key pillar of the state’s climate strategy because of its potential to convert municipal waste into alternative fuel while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Speaking on the significance of RDF, Prof. Babatunde Bada of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, described the technology as a vital tool for climate mitigation and sustainable waste management.
Earlier, the Head of Service, Mr Olanrewaju Saka, commended the ministry of environment and its agencies for advancing environmental sustainability through various projects and programmes.
Saka described the state’s RDF initiative as a practical strategy for reducing dependence on fossil fuels, minimising landfill waste, and creating green economic opportunities. (NAN)
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Tags: Ogun unveils clean energy World Environment Day