The Executive Director, Poverty Alleviation for the Poor Initiative(PAFPI) Mr. Kejekpo Omonade has called on youths to take action and rise above the challenges oil spills, illegal oil bunkering and gas flaring have devastating effects on the Niger Delta environment
Mr. Omonade who spoke during an environmental sensitization programme and official launching of the young environmentalists club in Ughelli attended by youths drawn from Afiesere and Adagwe Grammar Schools recently said the event would deepen the knowledge of the students on environmental issues and encourage them to take action towards protecting the environment.
According to him, the project was put together by the Port Harcourt based National Coalition On Gas Flaring and Oil Spills in the Niger Delta (NACGOND), and is aimed at sensitizing the young ones on environmental issues and their role in protecting the environment.
He explained that PAFPI, a member of NACGOND in Delta State facilitated the implementation of the project as It was the group’s shared desire to see these young ones grow with the consciousness that change was possible and that they themselves could be agents of positive change.
“We cannot deny the existence of environmental challenges in our society today. The issues of oil spills, illegal oil bunkering and gas flaring have devastating effects on our environment. The onus is on us to take action and rise above these challenges. Armed with the power that knowledge brings, we can effect lasting changes that would be beneficial not only to us but to generations unborn.” Mr. Omonade said
The Delta state Commissioner for Environment Barrister John Nani also presented a paper on “The role of youths in protecting the environment” noted that a number of environmental risks and hazards disappropriately affect young people who have to live for extended period with deteriorating environment bequeathed to them by earlier generation
He said engaging youths environmental protection not only create direct impact on changing youths attitudes and behavior but possibly influence their parents, relatives and family
