THE Governor of Osun State Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has gone a step further at enhancing the ecotourism status of the state as he inaugurated the 2.5 million Igi-Iye Project at the School of Post Graduate Studies, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile – Ife on Tuesday 25 June, 2013.
In a well attended ceremony bereft of political niceties and pontification, Ogbeni Aregbesola declared that “We shall be doing ourselves a mortal disfavour and even risk the curses and wrath of the generations to come if we stand akimbo doing nothing to enhance and rejuvenate the ecosystem, to create conducive atmosphere for the regeneration of the fauna and the replenishing of the flora which we daily deplete and poach into extinction.”
He pointed out that the tree planting scheme was essential to everyone who live on the face of the earth as the well-being of the ecosystem determines the well-being of the people in a given environment.
“Hence our resolve at making the State of Osun a centre of ecotourism enclave where the living cares for the environment and where the environment oozes forth clean air for the living to enjoy long life in good health.,” Aregbesola said.
Governor Aregbesola declared, “What we are initiating today by the launching of Igi – Iye scheme is not a jamboree or a social celebration, but an essential step which we must take now in order to reconnect the broken chain between the land and the atmosphere.
“The earth has been depleted of its trees in this part of the world causing disequilibrium in the sequence order of interaction between the earth and the atmosphere which has not only proved injurious to the living, but portend great dangers if not promptly addressed.
And we at the State of Osun cannot and we should not wait to experience any natural disaster which are preventable.”
He revealed further, “It is the genuine desire of our government to see that our people are totally absolved and insulated from preventable natural and ecological disasters which may be
attributed to failure on our part to act.
“Hence, we have decided to partner with those institutions and individuals who are experts when it comes to handling issues of specific professional configuration and administration like this.”
Governor Aregbesola commended the authority of Obafemi Awolowo University for coming out not only to identify with this project of Igi-Iye, but being a worthy partner for the successful launching, monitoring and implementation of the project.
He pointed out “I must also specially thank the entire Institute of Ecological and Environmental Studies for adopting this project as its baby and I promise that we will not leave any stone unturned until Osun becomes a preferred ecosystem state reference in Nigeria.”
Ogbeni Aregbesola said he was poised to do more for the people of Osun, “Osun people deserve the best of everything and our driving force is the zeal to give them the best they deserve.
A good environment aide’s good health and long life and we want our people to live long in good health. My government will never settle for less.”
He, however, called on the people to appreciate the environment not only by supporting all these lofty schemes aimed at making the environment better, but by being agents of protecting the environment through obeying sanitation laws.”
The Acting Director of the varsity’s Institute of Ecological and Environmental Studies, Dr Olusegun Awotoye described the Igi – Iye initiative as “ a bold effort routed through the right channel and geared towards the preservation of the earth and its threshold.
He said that Governor Aregbesola would be registering his name in the hearts of the environmental and ecological minded people if the initiative is pushed to the letter.
According to Dr Awotoye, the programme is laudable in intent and concept because of its implications on the improvement of environment in the state, adding that it is an effort that is geared towards preventing natural disaster now and in the future.
He disclosed that “ Governor Aregbesola has commenced a beneficial revolution which should be embraced by all and sundry in the state as it will contribute in no small measure to the stability of the environment here in the state of Osun and in Nigeria generally. ”
Dr Awotoye revealed that “ It is commendable and remarkable to note that Governor Aregbesola is the first governor to formally see the virtue and necessity in partnering with professionals in environmental sector in Nigeria. Hence, the collaboration and partnership which our department is strengthening and exploring to boost the well being of the earth.”
The university don who called on the federal and other state governments to join in the fight against environmental degradation said” Environment is the foundation of all resources, so if we missed it in the area of environmental sanitisation and purity we are likely to get to a situation where no living things will survive on this planet again.”
Speaking on the significance of tree planting, Dr Awotoye said tree planting helps in purifying the air, protecting the building against hazardous wind, vehicular emission and other forms of environmental pollution.
The students of the host department commended the bold step of Governor Aregbesola at salvaging Osun State from the claws of environmental disaster and in the recognition of the governor’s contribution to the environmental improvement honoured and bestowed on him an Award of Excellence for “his pro active environmental and ecological strides which have prevented the state from experiencing ecological disaster.”
The Special Adviser to the governor of the state of Osun on Environmental and Sanitation, Hon. Bola Ilori in his speech said the environmental programmes of the State of Osun under the leadership of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola are geared towards ensuring good living for the people of the state.
While maintaining that Igi-Iye initiative was an idea that was borne out of the need for environmental protection, Ilori said, “This is just the opening session.
“We are targeting over 10 million trees before the end of the year and this is an all inclusive programme which involves all members of the family in the state.”
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