FG urges Nigerians to adopt healthy habits of waste disposal

Anigbo said with the theme; “Volunteering for a Cleaner and Healthier Environment’’, Nigerians should cultivate the culture of volunteering, especially in terms of maintaining a healthy environment. He said un-degradable polythene bags should be replaced with more environment-friendly bags while emission of carbon fumes from various machines should be reduced to the barest minimum. “The […]

Anigbo said with the theme; “Volunteering for a Cleaner and Healthier Environment’’, Nigerians should cultivate the culture of volunteering, especially in terms of maintaining a healthy environment.

He said un-degradable polythene bags should be replaced with more environment-friendly bags while emission of carbon fumes from various machines should be reduced to the barest minimum.

“The theme acknowledges the fact that the planet earth, in which we all live, is under some threat or danger that demand world wide intervention to avert.

“It is generally believed that uncontrolled industrialisation processes and other human activities that have gone on over the years, led to unprecedented imbalances in the environmental systems.

“As a result, we are faced with recurrent natural disasters around the world that have claimed lives and properties and Nigeria is not isolated from these adverse effects of environmental degradation,’’ Anigbo said.

In her speech, the United Nations Volunteer Programme Officer; Mrs Galina Chus, said plans were on to produce a national policy on volunteerism in Nigeria to monitor all volunteerism activities.

“Volunteerism can change the pace and nature of development. To develop Nigeria, all the citizens should participate in volunteerism and they do not need to wait for government,’’ she said.  

Earlier in a welcome address, the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Alhaji Muhammad Aliero, said the theme of the 2009 celebration was apt because of the problem of environmental degradation and the impact of global warming.

Aliero, represented by the FCT Secretary for Social Development, Mrs Habiba Umar, said volunteerism was a catalyst for the enhancement of the economic status of the people.

He said volunteerism was an act of freely offering one’s time, energy, skills and other resources without expecting any financial reward in return. “It is sad to note the response of Nigerians to the volunteering crusade has not been encouraging,’’ the Minister said

He also called for intensified enlightenment campaigns and capacity building to promote the spirit of selfless service in the country. (NAN)