By Orumwense Sarah O.
The Edo State Commissioner for Environment and Sustainability, Arc. Joshua Omokhodion has stated that the State Government’s commitment to the beautification of the environment is not only to curtail the issues of waste and dirt around the city centres, but to also mitigate the impact of climate change.
Arc. Omokhodion made the statement in Benin City, through the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Jude Ekpu, during a three-day training programme for personnel of the Department of Parks and Garden in the Ministry. According to the Commissioner, the training is aimed at preparing the staff as part of buildups towards the beautification of Edo State.
The Commissioner described the training exercise as timely as according to him, it will bring about the establishment of more recreational centres in the State, which would contribute to preparing the State to be the best place to live and do business by the year 2030.
In his remark, the Consultant of Edo State One Stop for Investment Promotion, Mr. Joel Edionwe, emphasized the need to attach importance to the esthetics and redesigning of the environment, saying that our surroundings showcase how we want people to see us and the value we attach to our lives. He cautioned that Environmental Health and Management is very sacrosanct as the whole world is crying about climate change.
Mr. Edionwe acknowledged Governor Godwin Obaseki’s commitment towards keeping the State clean and green. He applauded the Governor’s numerous engagements and interventions as well as the vision to redeem and redirect the environment in order to mitigate the consequence of climate change, especially in the urban areas where nine parks and gardens have been contracted.
The Consultant of Parks and Garden, Roland Ologun said the training was to prepare staff of Parks and Garden for the task of Beautifying the State. The programme featured lectures on “Landscaping and Horticulture”; “Methods of Ornamental Propagation and Soil Profiling”; “Wreath, Flower Bouquet and Cut Flowers Arrangement”; “Nursery Management” and “Herbal Uses of Ornament Plants”, as delivered by Mr. Egah, Prof. S. U. Ewansiha, Mrs. Ngozi Nzekwu, TPL. Mbachu Chika and S. P. Odigie, respectively.
Trainees were taken on guided tours to three gardens across the Benin city metropolis, which included Obe Garden on Sapele Road; Garden of Fortunes on Benin Technical College Road; and Pa. Odigie’s Garden at Aduwawa.
High Point of the three days training programme was the presentation of Ornament trees to the trainees by the Nigerian Institute of Landscaping and Beautification, as well as the presentation of certificates to participants who were successful in examinations.
