By Ikhili Ebalu, Benin City
As the global community marked this year World Environment Day, Frontline Energy and Environmental Consultancy Services has organized Environment ICON Award 2021 to deserving Nigerians for the role they played to change the society.
The event which took place at Rickrex Event City in the GRA aixs of Benin City, Edo State capital also witnessed public lecture; entitled: “Ecosystem Restoration” delivered by Dr. Godwin Uyi-Ojo, executive Director, Environmental Rights Action and Friends of the Earth and Four-Man Panel Discussion on Current Environmental Challenges and Solutions by Rev. David Ugolor, Christopher Ojiekere, Dr. Egbon E. D. who represented Prof. Mike Osuide and Barr. Nosa Tokunbo.
Speaking to newsmen on what motivated him to organize the event, the Host, Deacon Sunny Duke Okosun, Manager Programmes ITV/Radio said, “The ills in the society as it relates to the environment are worsting by the day, we don’t have respect for the environment neither do we have regard for the environment, and this has worsen the situation that we have in our country.”
Going further, Deacon Okosun added, “air, soil, land, water and even sand pollutions are going on daily, things like these gives us the opportunity to reflect on the environment and what step we can take as individual and collectively to change the state of the environment.
“Looking around whenever it rains, you find flowing on top of water plastic bottles that didn’t come from the sky, it came from people dumping them in the gutters.
“So we are hoping that with the kind of awareness that we created today. people will take something home and change the way that they respond to the environment,” he opined..
Earlier, different awards were given to deserving individuals for the role they have played to change the society.
Amongst the Awardees are Mr. Charles Olumese, Edo State Chairman. National Association of Hydrogeologist, Engr. Sally Ahmed, MD/CEO, Benin Owena River Basin Development Authority. PRESCO Plc., Network Oil and Gas and Prof. Anthony Ogbeibu, Former Edo State Chairman, NES.
Others are Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC), Prof. Cyril Otoimhian, NOVENA University, Rev. David Ugolor, Prof. Babatunde Rabiu and Prof. Ignatius Onimawo.