Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, has urged Nigerians to take greater personal responsibility for protecting the environment, particularly as flooding and erosion continue to threaten communities and infrastructure.
Soludo made the call at an interdenominational thanksgiving service at the Cathedral Church of St. Faith, Awka, to mark Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary.
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Christian Aburime, the governor said the recent death of Success Ezenwafor in a flooding incident underscored the need for collective and personal responsibility in tackling environmental challenges.
READ ALSO: Anambra First Lady Urges Heritage Preservation for Development
He said the tragedy underscored the need for collective and personal responsibility, urging residents to control water runoff from their compounds, desist from blocking drainage channels, clean waterways and plant trees.
Soludo said Anambra had expended tens of billions of naira in efforts to tackle erosion, but noted that the scale of the challenge remained enormous.
Responsible action
He described Anambra as the gully erosion capital of Africa, if not the world, stressing that government intervention alone could not adequately address the environmental challenge without responsible action by citizens.
Reflecting on Nigeria’s 66-year journey since independence, Soludo said the country had recorded significant progress but still had considerable challenges to overcome. He urged citizens to replace lamentation with personal responsibility and contribute positively to national development.
Delivering a sermon titled “From Bondage to Freedom, God’s Purpose for Nigeria,” the Archbishop of the Niger and Bishop of Awka, Alexander Ibezim, said true independence went beyond the raising of national flags, stressing the importance of citizens determining their collective future.
Ibezim said governments and leaders would come and go while Nigeria remained, urging public office holders to remain accountable and give their best in service to the country.
He also expressed concern over the decline of Nigeria’s agricultural strength since independence, while urging citizens to remain hopeful and contribute to national development.
