FLORENCE UWAEME
The maiden edition of Chief Nwobidike Nwanodi memorial lecture with the theme: The Impact Of Environmental Pollution On Human Health And The Challenges Of Interpretation And Enforcement Of Environmental Laws And Regulations In The Niger Delt was held at the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, hall on Tuesday.
The event was organised by Selemati Foundation which was established in accordance with the last will and testament of the chief Nwobidike Nwanodi, SAN.
The foundation was established with the vision to inspire Nigerians to be global academic leaders with transformative impact on the lives of marginalized people through their research in the fields of environmental studies, law and medicine.
The keynote lecture was delivered by Rufus N. Godwins, ESQ, JP head of service Rivers State.
Selemati Foundation has the objectives of funding innovative research in the fields of environmental studies, law and medicine, improve infrastructural services in community health centre’s in the Niger Delta region, hold biennial memorial lectures with the audience participation in Nigeria, Great Britain, Canada and the United States of America, and a host of other objectives.
The maiden event brought the cream de la cream of lawyers, captains of industries, health experts and environmental professionals together to brainstorm on issues affecting the environment of the region.
The event kicked off with a welcome address from Mrs. Judith Nwanodi, wife of Chief Nwobidike Nwanodi.
The chairman of the occasion, Professor Dagogo Fubara said “when the enviable deeds of honorable dead men/women are celebrated, it serves as a wake up call for the living to leave a legacy worth celebrating”.
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During the lecture, the keynote speaker gave an extensive and educative lecture on the theme of the day, dividing the topic into two subsections which include; the impact of environmental pollution on human health and the challenges of interpretation and enforcement of environmental laws and regulations in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria.
Going forward, he shed more lights on the different types of environmental pollution and the grave consequences its neglect poses on the health of the people. He went ahead to list the different types of environmental pollution which include;
1. Air Pollution
2. Water Pollution
3. Oil Pollution
4. Nuclear pollution
5. Noise pollution
Using the story of Oloibiri as an example, Mr Rufus. N. Godwins noted that in the area of interpretation and enforcement of environmental laws, the government is lagging behind and should improve their participation in enforcing these laws.
He also argued that the federal government should, as a matter of urgency, ensure that companies that are aiding environmental degradation in the Niger Delta should be sanctioned and the money realized from these companies should be used to make life more bearable in that same community.
One of the panellists, Dr Kanu Chukwu Enye, a professor of health at the University of Port Harcourt encouraged individuals to treat the environment with more care. “An environment is the reflection of its inhabitants. You cannot litter the environment and not expect mosquitoes and other health bearing challenges to constantly visit you” he said.
Another discussant, Professor T. K Abam advised the audience to treat the environment better and discourage indiscriminate disposal of waste. As this could lead to erosion and health hazards.
During the course of the lecture, the keynote speaker, Mr Rufus. N. Godwins revered that a bill that criminalized indiscriminate disposal of waste products will soon be passed into law in Rivers state.
