The Natural Resources, Energy and Environment (NREEL), of the International Law Association (Nigerian branch), has stated that critical knowledge gaps hinder effective land restoration, adding that land restoration demand urgent investment in research that not only addresses the gaps in understanding land degradation problems but also values and integrates the wisdom of traditional knowledge and heritage.
The group recommended that such integration should also extend to the legal framework, ensuring clear comprehension by community stakeholders who are fundamental to the fight against land degradation during a conference discussion to commemorate the World Environment Day 2024.
The World Environment Day is an annual event led by the United Nations Environment Programme and held annually on June 5 worldwide to promote global awareness on environmental issues and the theme was “Our Land, Our Future: Land Restoration, Desertification And Resilience”
NREEL’s one-day hybrid conference was hosted by the Center of Petroleum, Energy, Environment and Law (CPEEL) University of Ibadan in partnership with Institute for Oil, Gas, Energy, Environment and Sustainable Development (OGEES Institute) and Triple Green Environment Development Foundation (TGED Foundation).
The convener of the World Environment Day Conference 2024, Ms. Oluwaseyi Ebenezer, in her speech said there is also a need for everyone to move beyond discussions of sustainable practices and make concrete actions and long-term implementation strategies which are crucial for achieving lasting success, with the understanding that everyone has a role to play in this critical
She highlighted the urgent need for sustainable land management and the critical role individuals play in combating desertification and land degradation encouraging active participation, collaboration and innovation among participants, stressing the importance of holistic approaches, robust legal frameworks, inclusive policies and community engagement.
She expressed her confidence that the conference discussions would inspire and equip participants with new knowledge and ideas to tackle pressing environmental issues, calling for collective efforts towards environmental sustainability and resilience.
The conference featured a keynote lecture by Dr. Walter Nsoh, Associate Professor of Energy and Environmental Law, University of Birmingham, United Kingdom who emphasised on the theme as it combines our actions that affect land and lead to land degradation and the consequences attached to it.
He said land degradation can’t be discussed without mentioning issues surrounding climate change such as flooding and to resolves these issues, there is a need to put good restoration and resilience plan in place which should be a global action and everyone has a role to play, adding that farmers should no longer see themselves as food producers but as integrated managers who manages wild range of ecosystem services and good that are beneficial to man.
The panel discussions featured high-level prominent experts; Godswill Agbaitoro, PhD, Lecturer, Energy and Environmental Law, University of Essex, and Jumoke Olowookere, Founder The Waste Museum, Patricia Ubiaza-Eze, Principal Partner, Patricia Ubiaza-Eze and Co, Adedoyin Adeleke PhD, Founder and Executive Director Green Growth Africa, Nenritmwa Gotodok, Secretary NREEL Committee, ILA Nigeria Branch, Managing Partner.
The Sophisticated Legal Hub and Co-Founder, Green Voices for Green Planet Initiative, Dr. Afolasade Adewumi, Reader/Associate Professor, Department of International Law, University of Ibadan, Dr. Peter Oniemola, Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Law and Programme Coordinator, CPEEL University of Ibadan, Agbo Chinonso Bathlomeo, Director of Programmes and Projects at the Batnon Center for Environment and Sustainable Development.
The panelists discussed the environmental and social impacts of desertification and land degradation, explored existing legal frameworks, and emphasized the importance of community engagement in building resilience for land restoration and environmental protection.
The conference also included a quiz competition for students from Ajibode Grammar School and Community Grammar School, Ajibode. Founded in Brussels in 1873, the International Law Association is a non-governmental organization with over 4,500 members across 45 national and regional branches worldwide.
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