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The Oyo State Government on Monday kicked off a three-day residential technical review of the draft Oyo State Climate Action Policy in Oyo Town, underscoring its unwavering commitment to fostering a climate-resilient and environmentally sustainable future for the state.
The exercise, organised by the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, brings together key stakeholders from various Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), alongside technical experts from the public sector and academia, to review and fine-tune the policy document that will guide the state’s climate change response and environmental sustainability strategy.
Flagging off the review exercise, the Honourable Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Hon. Ademola Aderinto, described the initiative as “a gift to the future,” emphasising that the growing effects of climate change require urgent, deliberate, and coordinated action from all stakeholders.
According to him, humanity is now witnessing the consequences of decades of environmental degradation, noting that “whatever we have been doing to nature over the years, nature is also responding.”
Hon. Ademola Aderinto emphasised that although climate change is a global challenge, it requires localised solutions.
He reiterated the Oyo State Government’s commitment to playing its part in tackling the crisis through practical policies and sustainable environmental actions.
The Commissioner assured participants that the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, with the full support of the Oyo State Government, would remain committed to ensuring the successful completion of the Climate Change Policy document within the stipulated timeframe.
He also appreciated the presence of representatives of the leadership of the Oyo State House of Assembly at the review exercise, expressing optimism that the policy document would eventually be enacted into law to guide environmental and climate actions in the state for generations to come.
Declaring the technical review exercise officially open on behalf of the Executive Governor of Oyo State, His Excellency, Hon. Aderinto, charged all stakeholders to regard the assignment as a responsibility to future generations and to give the exercise their utmost commitment in the interest of the state’s sustainable development.
In his welcome address, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr Sunday Ojelabi, reaffirmed Oyo State’s determination to remain a leading sub-national government in climate governance and sustainable development.
He stated that the review process represents the state’s contribution to mitigating the adverse effects of climate change and safeguarding the environment for both present and future generations.
In their separate goodwill messages, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Environment, Mr. Lamidi Ajibola; the Chairman, House Committee on Environment, Hon. Cephas Olorunpoto; and the Special Adviser on Intervention and Donor Funds, Mrs. Aderonke Adedayo, commended the efforts of the Oyo State Government through the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources in advancing climate action and implementing policies aimed at addressing the challenges posed by climate change in the state.
