The Nigerian Environmental Society on the 16th day of March 2023, hosted the investiture of the 16th National President-Elect which took place at the Abuja Continental Hotel, Ladi Kwali hall, Abuja. The event hosted dignitaries from various strata of society and stakeholders in the environmental sector.
The Nigerian Environmental Society is a professional, non-profit oriented, non-governmental body which is committed to advocacy and actions towards environmental protection, sustainable environmental development and promotion of environmental professionalism within Nigeria and in the global arena.
Major General Elias Attu exchanging Pleasantries with the DG NESREA; BoT Member (Dr. Abdul Husaini fnes); Past NES President (Prof. L. I. Ezemonye fnes); NES President (Dr. E. L. Okobia fnes); Past NES President (Dr. U. Agbanusi fnes) and BoT Vice Chairman (Sir Engr. I. C. Okoro fnes)
This investiture ceremony is most outstanding because of its outlook, the investiture is a culture in the Nigerian Environmental Society wherein the National President is unveiled to the public and issues related to environmental challenges and other related issues are discussed.
The ceremony kicked off with the opening remark of the distinguished chairman of the occasion, The Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor, who was represented by Major General Elias Attu.
Major General Attu in his speech, stated that the Nigerian Environmental Society and other associated bodies are pillars of national security and watchdogs of every issue related to the environment at large.
(Major General Elias Attu representing the Chief of Defense Staff Gen. Lucky Irabor, giving his opening remarks on-behalf of the Chief of Defense Staff; General Lucky Irabor)
The Board of Trustee (BoT) Chairman Distinguished Prof. Babajide Alo was represented by Sir. Engr. I. C. Okoro Vice BoT Chairman. He acknowledged the qualities of the National President-elect and chronicled his impact on the society from his days as the Chapter Vice Chairman in FCT Chapter to his tenure as National Vice President II of the society but also reminded and encouraged him to brace up on the huge tasks ahead as the leader of the society and called for collaboration and team work.
Sir. Engr. I. C. Okoro FNES, delivering the BoT Chairman goodwill message.
The chairman of the college of fellows, Professor Ezemonye Lawrence, delivering his good will message.
In attendance also was the chairman of the college of fellows, distinguished Professor Lawrence Ezemonye, who highlighted the need to involve relevant stake holders in dealing with environmental challenges. He further emphasized that major stakeholders and other leaders are the frontiers of the society and that the National President should note that he is the leader of the Nigerian Environmental Society and watchdog of the Nigerian environment.
The Director General of NESREA Addressing the media after the investiture ceremony.
Professor Aliyu Jauro, the Director General of the National Environmental Standards Regulation and Enforcement Agency (NESREA); spoke on the need to collaborate with the Nigerian Environmental Society in the areas of capacity building, sensitization and environmental education for the Nigerian populace.
The Director General NOSDRA addressing the media after the investiture ceremony.
The Director General of the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA); Idris Musa, acknowledged that the Nigerian Environmental Society is very relevant to environmental practitioners in Nigeria. He also stated the need for environmental bodies and others interested in the safety of the environment, to be registered with the Nigerian Environmental Society.
The National President of the Nigerian Environmental society, after being unveiled, gave his acceptance speech touching on institutional arrangements, governance structure, visibility of NES to the Nigerian populace, training, collaborations, scientific research, technological innovations, etc. HE also spoke to the media about the challenges in the environment sector in Nigeria and the role of the Nigerian Environmental Society, to providing leadership, scientific research, and strategies to mitigating these challenges.
The National President of NES delivering his Acceptance Speech.
HE emphasized on the role of private sector active participation in the environment sector, mostly especially in the areas of municipal solid waste management and environmental pollution, highlighting that their involvement with the right technology, strategies and plans will change the dynamics and give a more productive and sustainable environmental mitigation strategies to changing the current narratives. He spoke on the huge responsibilities charged on him as the president and his willingness to bring about the changes that are needed with his National Executives Council and other key actors in the environment sector.
(L-R) The DG NOSDRA, Major General Elias Attu, Sir Engr. I. C. Okoro (Vice Chairman BoT), Dr. U. Agbanusi (Past NES President), Dr. E. Okobia (National President), Prof. L. Ezemonye (Past NES President), Dr. Abdul Husaini (BoT Member), DG NESREA, & Tpl Paul Akporowho (Chair Investiture Committee).
Major General Elias Attu representing Gen. LEO Irabo (Chief of Defence Staff) Chairman of the Occasion at the Investiture Ceremony.
(L-R) A Picture of the Publicity Secretary (Dr. Sunday Akoh), National Treasurer (Mr. Richard Amedu), National President (Dr. E. Okobia), National Vice President 1 (Prof. Mrs. Comfort Etuk), National Secretary (Mr. Adewale Adeyemi)
A Cross Sectional View of Attendees at the Investiture Ceremony.
(L-R) Prof. Lawrence Ezemonye (Past National President NES), Dr. E. Okobia (National President NES) and Prof. Aliyu Jauro
(DG NESREA)