Abia Commissioner for Education, Prof. Ikechi Mgboji, has advised people of the state to support the efforts of the state’s environmental courts to ensure cleanliness in the society.
Mgboji gave the advice in Aba on Wednesday when he received an award for supporting environmental sanitation from Aba-na-Ohazu Environmental Court, presided over by Senior Magistrate Diamond Olewengwa.
He said that the preservation of the environment must be promoted so as to the preserve human life, hence the need to ensure safe, secured and sanitised environment.
“The environment belongs to all of us; it is what makes us and it can also unmake us.
“When I was doing my post-doctoral work at the International Environmental Centre (IEC), Germany, I came across very reputable persons working in the field of environmental law.
“Some people thought that the environment is something they could mess up with.
“If you look around, you will see sachets of water and plastic bottles; all kinds of pollution going on.
“You should realise that God has given us our environment to keep; it is our duty and responsibility to keep this environment until Jesus Christ comes.
“If we fail to do so, we are in great peril.
“So, the establishment of the environmental court is not something to be scoffed at but something that we all have to be proud of.
“On behalf of the Ministry of Education and the governor of Abia State, I encourage you to strive for the best in the work you are doing at the Aba-na-Ohazu Environmental Court,” he said.
Mgboji pleaded with the citizens of Abia and Aba residents, in particular, to support the work of the court.
He urged the people to care for the environment, pledging that the government would play its own part by supporting their efforts.
In address, the judge of the court, Olewengwa, said that the event was organised to thank God and personalities who had supported the court’s activities.
He noted that the persons and organisations that received awards at the event had distinguished themselves in preserving the environment and supporting efforts to keep it clean.
He said that a clean environment would ensure good health for the citizens.
Olewengwa thanked the President, Abia Customary Court of Appeal, Justice Anyalewachi Onwuchekwa, and Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia for giving him an opportunity to serve the state. (NAN)
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