Former Nigerian President, Goodluck Jonathan
Former President Goodluck Jonathan has endorsed the proposed Nigerian Environmental Hall of Fame, an initiative designed to recognise and immortalise individuals and organisations who made pioneering contributions to environmental sustainability and conservation in the country.
Convener of the initiative, Noble Akenge, in a statement on Tuesday, said Mr Jonathan gave his endorsement during a meeting as part of a high-level consultative tour to engage eminent national leaders and environmentalists.
The statement said the former president commended Mr Akenge for the foresight in establishing a platform celebrating environmental stewardship.
It said, “President Jonathan is a leader of profound wisdom who has remained steadfast in supporting developmental causes since leaving office. As a fellow environmentalist, his encouragement and kind words reinforce the importance of this project for our nation’s future.”
According to the statement, the initiative also received significant technical backing and commendation from the Executive Director of the African Green Economy and Sustainability Institute (AGESI), Eugene Itua, who praised it as a vital step toward institutionalising environmental excellence in Nigeria.
“Recognising environmental trailblazers is essential for fostering a culture of sustainability and green growth across the continent,” it quoted Mr Itua as saying.
The convener lauded Mr Itua and AGESI for providing the critical technical support required to ensure the initiative meets international standards for sustainability and impact.
He added that the visit and subsequent endorsements marked a critical milestone in the lead-up to the Hall of Fame’s formal launch, aimed at celebrating the “unsung heroes” of Nigeria’s environmental sector, encourage younger generations to pursue careers and advocacy in climate action and create a prestigious body of experts to advise on national ecological challenges.
Mr Akenge also called for national solidarity and invited stakeholders from the public and private sectors to “join hands” in making this initiative a reality.
“This is a collective journey toward a more sustainable Nigeria,” he noted.
