The Minister of Environment, Malam Balarabe Lawal, on Friday, inaugurated the Chairmen and Members of the Governing Boards of agencies under the Federal Ministry of Environment in Abuja.
Lawal said the appointments show the Federal Government’s strong focus on environmental issues as an important part of Nigeria’s national development.
“You were chosen to serve on these Boards because the government is giving top priority to environmental governance as a key area for national progress,” he said.
He explained that the agencies under the Ministry play an important role in handling Nigeria’s environmental duties both within the country and internationally.
The Minister said the main tasks of these agencies include fighting climate change, managing pollution and waste, enforcing environmental laws, and protecting forests, biodiversity, and ecosystems.
Lawal urged the new board members to ensure policies are aligned, give clear direction to agency management, and promote good governance and efficiency.
He reminded them to understand the difference between their roles as board members and the management teams who run daily operations, as required by public service rules and laws.
He also asked them to make sure their agencies operate transparently, comply with regulations, and work efficiently.
“Your leadership is important in ensuring environmental concerns are included in government plans and policies, both at federal and state levels,” Lawal added.
Speaking on behalf of the newly appointed board members, Senator Magnus Abe, Chairman of the National Agency for the Great Green Wall, promised that they would work hard to achieve their goals.
He assured that the agencies will support President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda by improving how they function.
“We have to make sure these agencies perform better. We will deliver results that will satisfy both the President and Nigerians,” Abe said.
Also speaking, Mr. Michael Etaba, Chairman of the House Committee on Environment, advised the new board members to urgently focus on solving Nigeria’s environmental problems.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the newly inaugurated chairmen include Senator Magnus Abe for the National Agency for the Great Green Wall and Ma’azu Rijai for the National Biosafety Management Agency.
Other appointees are Garba Datti for the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency, Ibrahim El-Sudi for the Environmental Health Council of Nigeria, Abdulmalik Usman for the Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria, Chief Edward Omo-Erewa for the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency, and Dr. Kingsley Ononogbu for the National Park Service.
