By Sani Aliyu, Zaria
Professor Abdul Hamidu Abdullahi of the Department of Local Government and Development Studies has said that environmental challenges cannot be solved by governments alone.
He stated this while delivering a keynote address during the onboarding ceremony of the Energy and Environmental Law Club, Faculty of Law, ABU Zaria at the weekend.
Professor Abdullahi maintained that collaboration among universities, industries, civil society organisations, development partners, local communities and government agencies remains essential.
According to him, leadership is influence. People learn more from what leaders do than from what leaders say. Become role models in environmental responsibility, he charged.
The university lecturer added that true development balances three important dimensions will be witnessed. They are: economic prosperity, social inclusion and environmental protection. This balance lies at the heart of sustainable development.
He said every profession has a role to play with Law to ensure environmental justice, while engineering develops clean technologies, as agriculture promotes sustainable food systems and medicine protects public health.
Also, economics promotes efficient resource use. Public administration strengthens environmental governance, community development mobilizes citizens while no discipline is excluded.
The Local Government Development Professor reminded participants that protecting the environment is not solely the responsibility of governments, environmental experts or international organisations.
Good environmental governance depends on strong institutions and effective laws. Young people should engage constructively in policy discussions and advocate for better environmental governance.
“It is everyone’s responsibility and
environmental stewardship begins with everyone and it begins in our homes, in our classrooms in our offices, on our campuses, in our communities,and it begins today,” he noted.
He urged every member of the Energy and Environmental Law Club to embrace the mantle of environmental stewardship with commitment, courage, and integrity. “Become ambassadors of sustainability”.
Become, defenders of environmental justice become leaders of positive change, he insisted, adding that creating a sustainable society requires more than awareness. It also requires behavioural change.
“You belong to a generation that will experience the consequences of today’s environmental decisions more than any generation before you. Yet you also possess unprecedented opportunities to influence positive change.
“The future needs environmentally conscious lawyers, policymakers, researchers, judges, legislators, entrepreneurs, engineers, educators, and community leaders.
“You must become advocates who are not only passionate but also knowledgeable; not only critical but also constructive; not only ambitious but also responsible”.
According to him, “the Energy and Environmental Law Club should be more than a student association. It should be a platform for leadership development, policy engagement, environmental advocacy, community service, and intellectual excellence.
“Use your voices to promote environmental awareness, your talents to develop solutions, your education to advance sustainability. And your influence to serve humanity.
“Together, let us build a culture of environmental responsibility and sustainability that will secure a healthier, greener, and more prosperous future for our nation and our world”.
Also speaking, the Director of Programme of the Club, Comrade Nafisah Musa called on every citizens to join the club and participate actively in all its programmes.
She also appreciated the support they are receiving from the University management, community, lecturers and the entire Zaria community whenever they’re out to clean the environments.
