FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
5TH JUNE, 2026
PROTECTING OUR ENVIRONMENT IS PROTECTING OUR FUTURE: CEHRAWS CALLS FOR URGENT CLIMATE ACTION, ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE, AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA
The Centre for Human Rights Advocacy and Wholesome Society (CEHRAWS) joins the global community in commemorating World Environment Day 2026 under the theme, “Inspired by Nature. For Climate. For Our Future.”
This year’s theme serves as a timely reminder that humanity’s future remains inseparably connected to the health, sustainability, and resilience of the natural environment. Nature continues to be humanity’s greatest ally in combating climate change, reducing environmental degradation, preserving biodiversity, strengthening ecological balance, and promoting sustainable development for present and future generations.
As a human rights and social justice organisation, CEHRAWS firmly maintains that environmental protection is not merely an ecological obligation but a fundamental human rights imperative. The rights to life, health, dignity, food, clean water, housing, livelihood, and development cannot be fully guaranteed in an environment threatened by pollution, ecological destruction, and climate-related disasters.
Across Nigeria, the consequences of environmental neglect and climate change have become increasingly visible and alarming. Communities continue to grapple with devastating floods, gully erosion, deforestation, poor waste management systems, biodiversity loss, contamination of water sources, destruction of farmlands, rising temperatures, and other climate-induced challenges that threaten public health, economic stability, food security, and social wellbeing.
Particularly troubling are the recurring incidents of flooding and erosion affecting several communities across the country, including numerous parts of Abia State, where environmental degradation continues to endanger lives, destroy homes, damage infrastructure, displace families, and undermine livelihoods.
CEHRAWS notes that although climate change is a global phenomenon, its impacts are often disproportionately borne by vulnerable populations, including women, children, persons with disabilities, rural dwellers, and low-income communities who contribute the least to environmental degradation yet suffer its harshest consequences.
The organisation therefore calls upon governments at all levels, private sector actors, development partners, traditional institutions, civil society organisations, communities, and citizens to recognize environmental protection as a collective responsibility requiring immediate, coordinated, and sustained action.
Nigeria already possesses several legal and policy frameworks aimed at environmental protection and climate governance. Notably, Section 20 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), imposes a duty on the State to protect and improve the environment and safeguard the nation’s water, air, land, forests, and wildlife. Similarly, the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) Act, 2007, provides a framework for environmental regulation and enforcement, while the Climate Change Act, 2021, establishes mechanisms for climate resilience, sustainable development, and the transition towards a low-carbon economy. The Environmental Impact Assessment Act further seeks to ensure that projects with potential environmental consequences are subjected to proper scrutiny before implementation.
While these legislative frameworks represent important milestones in environmental governance, their true value lies not in their existence but in their effective implementation, enforcement, monitoring, and accountability. Environmental laws must not remain mere policy statements on paper while environmental degradation continues unchecked.
CEHRAWS acknowledges the efforts of the administration of Governor Alex Otti in advancing infrastructure development and urban renewal initiatives across Abia State. However, we respectfully urge the government to deepen its commitment to environmental sustainability by ensuring that climate resilience and ecological protection are integrated into every aspect of development planning, budgeting, project implementation, and public policy formulation.
The government should prioritize comprehensive erosion control and flood mitigation projects in vulnerable communities, strengthen waste management systems across urban and rural areas, promote large-scale tree planting and reforestation programmes, protect wetlands and natural ecosystems from indiscriminate destruction, expand environmental education and climate awareness initiatives, encourage renewable energy adoption, strengthen environmental monitoring mechanisms, and support climate-smart agricultural practices capable of enhancing food security and protecting farmers from climate-related losses.
Furthermore, increased investment in environmental protection, climate adaptation programmes, green technology, and sustainable livelihoods remains essential. Government agencies must work more closely with communities, educational institutions, traditional authorities, civil society organisations, and development partners to establish effective environmental governance systems capable of responding to emerging environmental challenges.
Corporate organisations must equally embrace environmentally responsible business practices and comply with environmental regulations, while relevant regulatory agencies must ensure strict enforcement against activities that contribute to pollution, ecological degradation, and environmental harm.
Citizens also have a crucial role to play in protecting the environment through responsible waste disposal, tree planting, environmental sanitation, conservation of natural resources, reduction of plastic pollution, and support for sustainable environmental practices. Individual actions may appear insignificant in isolation, but collectively they possess the power to transform communities and safeguard the environment for future generations.
CONCLUSION
On this World Environment Day 2026, CEHRAWS calls upon governments, businesses, institutions, communities, and citizens to move beyond rhetoric and embrace concrete action.
The environmental challenges confronting Nigeria and Abia State are urgent, but they are not insurmountable. With visionary leadership, effective laws, active citizen participation, and sustained commitment, we can build a future that is environmentally sustainable, climate-resilient, and socially just.
Nature is not merely a resource to be exploited; it is a legacy to be preserved.
The choices we make today will determine the quality of life enjoyed by future generations.
Let us therefore be inspired by nature, act for the climate, and safeguard our collective future.
Happy World Environment Day 2026.
Signed:
OKOYE, CHUKA PETER
Executive Director, CEHRAWS
cehraws@gmail.com | +234(0)808-035-1242
Facebook: @Cehraws
