By Amaka Isikala
The Anambra State Commissioner for Environment, Dr Clem Aguiyi Esq, has urged stronger collaboration among environmental experts, urban planners, architects, health professionals, and policymakers to jointly tackle the complex challenges of environmental degradation and urban development.
He made the call while presenting a goodwill message at the 6th International Conference on “Sustainable Environment: Built Space Ecology, Planning, and Human Wellbeing,” organized by the Department of Environmental Sciences, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Uli Campus on June 18.
Dr. Aguiyi commended the university’s Faculty of Environmental Sciences for sustaining a platform that promotes dialogue on environmental and developmental issues. He noted that sustainability, urban planning, ecological protection, and human wellbeing are interdependent and must be treated as a unified agenda.
He emphasized that sustainable development requires deliberate policy choices in energy use, waste management, land use, and environmental protection to ensure long-term access to clean air, safe water, and a stable climate for future generations.
Dr. Aguiyi stressed that infrastructure development such as roads, buildings, and drainage systems must incorporate ecological planning to reduce flooding risks, heat stress, and biodiversity loss, while promoting environmental resilience.
He referenced Prof Soludo’s development vision of transforming Anambra into an African Dubai-Taiwan-Silicon Valley, noting that such ambition can only be realized through sustainable planning, environmental responsibility, and inclusive development strategies.
The commissioner encouraged participants to leverage the conference for meaningful research exchange and practical solutions that can be translated into actionable policies improving quality of life.
As part of the event, a tree-planting exercise was carried out within the campus. Dr. Aguiyi described the initiative as a symbolic commitment to climate action and urged continued adoption of tree planting as a collective responsibility toward building a greener Anambra State.
Amaka Isikala is of the Ministry of Information and Value Reformation, Anambra State
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