GEHS Collaborated With NESREA to Conduct The 3rd Edition of Environmental Management Course (EMC)

 

The 3rd edition of the Environmental Management Course (EMC) was held in collaboration with National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) on 23rd – 27th May, 2016 at GEHS Learning and Meeting Arena, 3rd Floor, Kojo Motors Building, Mabushi, Abuja.

 

Participants comprised of environmental regulatory officers as well as environmental managers drawn from diverse industries including Food & Beverage, Manufacturing, Construction, Electricity, Oil & Gas, Housing and Waste Management facilities.

 

The objective of the training was to equip participants with fundamental knowledge of environmental management principles and its application with a view to enhance competence in environmental sustainability and regulatory practice. The training entailed teaching sessions, individual and syndicate group exercises, video shows and practical demonstrations. The course covered a range of topics that were delivered in 4 modules which address key elements of environmental management viz - Environmental Sustainability; Environmental Policies & Regulations; Environmental Management System (EMS) as well as Tools for Assessment & Interpretation of Environmental Performance.

 

The training was declared open by the DG/CEO NESREA represented by Mr. Victor Ojogbo (Director, Planning and Policy Analysis). In his remark, the DG highlighted some of the specific objectives of the training which include to enhance the skills of participants on environmental management, facilitate the understanding of the concept of environmental sustainability and strengthen partnership amongst stakeholders. He added that the training is part of the collaborative efforts of NESREA in engaging stakeholders particularly the regulated industries and also to expose stakeholders to new trends in environmental management.

 

In her welcome remarks, Dr Lola Okwuosa (Head, GEHS) welcomed participants to the training and provided a brief overview of the history of the collaboration between NESREA and GEHS to organize the training. She stressed that the collaboration was borne out of the need to build capacity of those responsible for environmental management in the industries. She enjoined participants to listen attentively, take notes and feel free to ask questions and seek clarifications in order to get the best out of the training.

 

As part of the training, participants were enlightened on biodiversity conservation and the risk of endangerment of wildlife species as a way of fostering the 2016 World Environment Day theme “Fight Against the Illegal Trade in Wildlife. The Director, Environmental Quality Control (EQC), NESREA who was represented by Mr. Jacob Ayuba (Deputy Director EQC) emphasized that illegal trade in wildlife and wildlife resources is one of the man made problems threatening ecological biodiversity and if not controlled may lead to extinction of certain species of wildlife such as elephants, lions, tiger etc. He highlighted intervention of international communities in protecting biodiversity which include the formation of multilateral agreements and convention especially the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). He also enumerated efforts of the Nigeria government in conserving biodiversity in Nigeria including establishment of several protected areas and forest reserves, domestication of CITES, development of Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (BSAP) with a vision of sustainable development in the new millennium amongst others.

 

He enumerated some of the challenges facing the implementation of CITES to include inadequate political will to enforce our extant laws; Inadequate capacity development  (recruitment of adequate numbers of suitably qualified staff and inadequate training of existing personnel); lack of logistical support for CITES enforcement; inadequate sensitization and awareness raising; inadequate(or outdated) legislation; lack of appreciation of the importance of CITES enforcement by other law enforcement and regulatory agencies; inadequate Rescue Centres; and corruption. He concluded by enjoining participants to shun products made of wildlife parts in order to contribute their quota in protecting our valuable biodiversity.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mr Jacob Ayuba Engaging Participants on Biodiversity Conservation During the EMC Programme

Photo: Courtesy GEHS.

 

At the end of the training, participants commended the organizers for putting together a highly impactful programme. Below are some of the comments made by participants at the end of the programme:

 

• My personal Objectives for the Course were surpassed. The resource persons appear very knowledgeable with good presentations. (Engr. G, Dangote Cement).

• I have been exposed to certain environmental concepts and legislation as well as knowledge of environmental management practices more than ever. (Mr. A, Sokoto Cement).

• I am grateful and privileged to be a participants and looking forward to attend other upcoming programmes (Participant).

• The presentations were very good because the resource persons are highly experienced in their respective fields (Participant).

• Course contents are relevant to contemporary environmental issues (Participant).

 

At the end of the training a short closing ceremony was held during which the DG/CEO NESREA represented by Mr. Sam Akpabio (Director Partnership and Education) encouraged participants to go back and implement what they have learnt to make the environment better in their respective organizations. Thereafter, certificates were presented to participants.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mr. Sam Akpabio (Addressing Participants) and Dr. Lola Okwuosa During the EMC Closing Ceremony.

Photo: Courtesy GEHS.