Environmental expert and Vice Chancellor of Igbinedion University Okada (IUO), Prof. Lawrence Ikechukwu Ezemonye on Tuesday was decorated as the first President and Chairman of the Governing Council of the Institute of Environmental Practitioners of Nigeria (IEPN).
In his acceptance speech at the inauguration ceremony of the 1st Governing Council of IEPN in Abuja, Ezemonye, a Professor of Ecotoxicology and Environmental Forensics noted that his coming on board marks the beginning of a new era in Environmental Governance and Ecosystem Management in Nigeria.
“It is with great joy and gratitude to Almighty God that I stand to respond and formally accept the responsibility of shepherding this significant Institute saddled with the responsibility of regulating the activities of its members in the protection of the Nigerian environment.
“It was not an easy task going through the process of signing the Institute of Environmental Practitioners of Nigeria Establishment Act into Law,” Ezemonye said.
He further expressed, “This new dawn which is heralded by the inauguration of the Institute of Environmental Practitioners of Nigeria (IEPN) is driven strongly by the passion for corporate environmental stewardship and justice.
“The mission of the Institute is very clear, interrogating ecological evaluations, ecological integrity, environmental management, restoration, remediation, protection, sustainability and stewardship as the Nigerian environment is in dire need of our intervention.”
The President and Chairman of the Governing Council of the Institute of Environmental Practitioners of Nigeria commended the Federal Government for signing the IEPN Act into Law.
Prof. Ezemonye lauded Ex-President Muhammadu Buhari (GCFR) and the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Her Excellency, Senator Oluremi Tinubu for their impactful contributions towards environmental sustainability projects in the country.
Ezemonye also appreciated other stakeholders including the Chairman of Senate Committee on Environment and Hon. Fellow of Nigerian Environmental Society, Senator Akintunde Yunus Abiodun; Chairman of House of Representatives Committee on Environment and Habitat; members of the National Assembly, Hon. Obinna Chidoka; Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, Amina Mohammed, one-time Minster of Environment; Board of Trustees, Executives, Fellows and members of Nigerian Environmental Society and Waste Management Society of Nigeria for their roles in driving sanity and sanctity in the practice of environmental protection, conservation, remediation and restoration to the Nigeria environment.
The members of the governing council of IEPN include the President of the Institute – Lawrence Ezemonye, Vice President – Chukwukeluo Chukwuogo, Registrar – Yakubu Waziri, Treasurer – Paul Akporowho, Legal Adviser – Ifunaya Charity amongst others.
In his remark, Minister of Environment, Malam Balarabe Lawal, represented by Dr. Olubunmi Olusanya, Director of Pollution Control and Environmental Health in the ministry, assured that they would unlock all the potential in the environment sector and regulate environmental professionalism.
